Michael Ray Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star who was banned from the league for drug use, died Tuesday. He was 70.
The New York Knicks announced the news with the following statement:
‘We are saddened to hear about the passing of former Knick Michael Ray Richardson. One of the fiercest defensive players of his era, the four-time NBA All-Star made an incredible impact on the Knicks during his four seasons with the franchise.”
Attorney John Zelbst told ESPN’s Andscape that his client died shortly after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“The basketball world and anyone Michael came in contact with lost a great sportsman,” Zelbst said. “He lived life to the fullest. He overcame the most incredible odds to accomplish what he did in life. He serves as an example on how to redeem yourself and make something of yourself. I think he is the greatest NBA player that has never been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Incredible player — player, person and family man.”
Richardson averaged 14.8 points, 7.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 556 career games with the Knicks, Golden State Warriors and then-New Jersey Nets. He was selected by New York with the fourth overall pick of the 1978 NBA Draft and named as the 1985 NBA Comeback Player of the Year.
He led the NBA in steals three times and was named to the All-Defensive Team twice.
“We’re saddened to hear of the passing of former Nets All-Star, Michael Ray Richardson,” the Nets wrote on X. “The Nets family sends their deepest condolences to the Richardson family today.”
Richardson, however, violated the NBA’s drug policy for a third time in 1986 and was banned from the NBA.
“My darkest day was when the guy (from the NBA) met me at the airport and told me I was banned from the NBA,” Richardson told Andscape in May. “I will never forget that day. They waited for me in Newark. As soon as I got off the plane, I knew what was going on. After that, I went home and went on a few days binge. And then after that, I came to. I got myself into it. I have to get myself out.”
Richardson, who concluded his playing career in 2002, coached in the Continental Basketball Association for the Albany Patroons before guiding the Oklahoma/Lawton-Fort Still Cavalry to three consecutive titles (CBA: 2008, 2009; Premier Basketball League: 2010).
