Gene Shue

NBA All-Star guard and two-time Coach of the Year who led the Bullets and 76ers to the NBA Finals.

Eugene William Shue (December 18, 1931 – April 3, 2022) was an American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Shue was one of the top guards of the early days of the NBA and an influential figure in the development of basketball. He is credited with having invented the "spin move" while being an early harbinger of other plays and strategies. Shue was an NBA All-Star in five consecutive times from 1958 to 1962.

Quick Facts

Born: 18 December 1931
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Died: 3 April 2022
Place of death: Marina del Rey, California, U.S.
High school: Towson Catholic (Towson, Maryland)
College: Maryland (1951–1954)
Draft round: 1
Draft pick: 3

Lore & Background

Shue was born on December 18, 1931, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in the city's Govans neighborhood and attended Towson Catholic High School. His family lived on welfare and he did not own a basketball as a child. He grew up a fan of the Baltimore Bullets and Buddy Jeannette. He played college basketball at the University of Maryland, where he broke all school scoring records and made the All-ACC team. He was drafted third overall in the 1954 NBA draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. He played for the Philadelphia Warriors, New York Knicks, Fort Wayne/Detroit Pistons, and Baltimore Bullets. After his playing career, he became a long-serving coach for the Baltimore Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, San Diego Clippers, and Washington Bullets (later the Los Angeles Clippers). He was twice awarded NBA Coach of the Year; he is one of just twelve coaches to win multiple Coach of the Year awards.

Reader's Guide

Shue's coaching career spanned over 22 years. He coached the Baltimore Bullets from 1966 to 1973, leading them to four division championships and an NBA Finals appearance in 1971. He then coached the Philadelphia 76ers from 1973 to 1977, leading them to the NBA Finals in 1977. He was the first coach of the relocated San Diego Clippers in 1978. He returned to coach the Bullets in 1980, reaching the post-season three times in six seasons. He later coached the Los Angeles Clippers from 1987, closing his tenure with 27 wins in 120 total games. His overall head coaching record was 784–861.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Gene Shue?

Gene Shue was an NBA guard in the league's early years and later became one of the most successful head coaches in franchise history, spending a combined 13 seasons with the Baltimore/Washington Bullets. He is also widely credited with creating the 'spin move' that changed how guards attack the rim.

Did Gene Shue really invent the spin move?

Yes, Shue developed the spin move during his playing career in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and it quickly became a fundamental part of NBA guard technique. The maneuver is still a go-to finishing tool for players at every level of the game.

What are Gene Shue's coaching accomplishments?

Shue finished his career with 784 wins and two NBA Coach of the Year awards. He guided the Bullets to four division titles and made the NBA Finals in both 1971 and 1977, making him the most decorated coach in franchise history.