Warriors Coach Honors Late Oakland Football Icon John Beam

SAN ANTONIO – Warriors coach Steve Kerr wore a shirt honoring John Beam during a pregame news conference on Friday night, a tribute to the beloved Oakland football coach who was fatally shot on November 13, 2025.

Beam, known for his four-decade coaching career at Skyline High School and Laney College, was shot in his office and pronounced dead the following morning. Kerr expressed sorrow over Beam’s death, saying, “It’s a really difficult time for people in Oakland right now. Coach Beam was a legend … a sad day, sad day for the Bay Area, and a sad day for coach Beam’s family.”

The coach’s tribute reflected Beam’s significant impact on the Oakland community, where he was a revered figure. He gained national recognition through the Netflix documentary “Last Chance U,” which highlighted the coaching of Beam’s Eagles team.

Kerr used the platform to address the pressing issue of gun violence, stating, “Everybody knows he’s a revered figure in Oakland, who did so much for so many people. On behalf of the Warriors, I want to extend our condolences, and remind everybody we have to be the change, as a community, as citizens, we have to be the ones who insist that we address gun violence issues.”

While Kerr did not know Beam personally, he mentioned having many mutual friends, underscoring Beam’s far-reaching influence.

In other team news, forward Jonathan Kuminga is ruled out for the game against San Antonio due to knee soreness. Kuminga had recently missed the second half of a prior game but had averaged 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during his last 12 games.

Kerr mentioned that Kuminga would continue to consult with the training staff in hopes of returning to play soon. “But just day to day (for now),” he added.

Meanwhile, Stephen Curry prepared to debut his new pair of black and white Nikes, marking a new chapter as Curry Brand transitions into an independent entity. Curry previously left Nike in 2013 to join Under Armour, adding more excitement to his anticipated footwear reveal.