Hugh Evans (basketball)

Hugh Evans (February 25, 1941 – July 8, 1998) was an American professional basketball referee in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 28 seasons, from 1972 to 1998. Widely respected for his knowledge of the game and calm demeanor, Evans officiated over 2,000 regular season games, 170 playoff games, 35 NBA Finals games, and four NBA All-Star Games.

Early in his career, Evans worked as a referee in the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL), a forerunner to the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He quickly gained a reputation for fairness and competency, leading to his recruitment by the NBA.

Throughout his career, Evans was known for his command of the game and his ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism. He was also praised for his commitment to mentoring younger referees. After retiring as an on-court official, Evans served as an NBA supervisor of officials until his death from cancer in 1998. His contributions to the sport earned him a lasting legacy, and he is considered one of the most influential referees in NBA history.