The first head coach in Toronto Raptors history, Brendan Malone, has died at the age of 81.
The Denver Nuggets confirmed the information on their social media on Tuesday. The cause of death has not been specified.
Malone, the father of current Nuggets head coach Mike Malone, was at the helm of the Raptors during the 1995-96 season.
The Toronto team had compiled a record of 21-61, and notably snatched a victory from the eventual champions of the NBA, the Chicago Bulls, who had dominated the general classification by virtue of a record of 72-10.
Malone had never held the position of head coach of an NBA club before joining the Raptors. However, he had been an assistant with the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons.
He also held various positions with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic and Sacramento Kings.
Malone won two NBA titles with the Pistons, in 1989 and 1990.