Phil Spence: key obituary facts
Is Phil Spence dead? Yes. Phil Spence died on September 21, 2026, at age 72.
Cause of death: Phil Spence's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Phil Spence known for?
He was an American basketball player and coach.
More about Phil Spence
Born: 13 March 1954.
Place of birth: Raleigh.
Gender: male.
Occupation: basketball coach, basketball player.
Nationality: United States.
Education: North Carolina State University, Needham B. Broughton High School.
Phil Spence, the American college basketball player and coach who helped North Carolina State win the 1974 national championship, died on September 21, 2026, aged 72.
Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, he starred at Broughton High School, where he earned Wake County Player of the Year honors as a senior and was also named a Converse All-American. Spence later played at Vincennes University before transferring to North Carolina State, where he became a key contributor for the Wolfpack.
He graduated from NC State in 1976 with a degree in vocational industrial education and later coached at North Carolina Central.