Former NBA Star Michael Ray Richardson Passes Away at 70
Michael Ray Richardson, once a standout for the Knicks and the first player to receive a lifetime ban from the NBA due to a drug violation, has died at 70 in Oklahoma after a battle with prostate cancer.
John Zerbst, a close friend and attorney, expressed his sorrow, stating, “The basketball world and everyone Michael came into contact with has lost a great athlete. He lived his life fully and faced immense challenges to achieve what he did. He’s a testament to redemption and self-improvement. In my eyes, he ranks among the greatest NBA players ever inducted into the Hall of Fame—an incredible athlete, a genuine person, and a dedicated family man.”
Richardson, known as “Sugar,” had a remarkable college career at Montana and was selected by the Knicks as the fourth pick in the 1978 NBA Draft.
During his time with the Knicks, he averaged 14.2 points, 7.1 assists, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game, missing only 13 games. He earned two All-Star selections and was named to the First Team All-Defensive honors twice.
He later became part of a significant trade, where he was sent to the Warriors along with a fifth-round pick in exchange for Bernard King.
Richardson’s time in the league included a stint with the Nets after a brief period with the Warriors, where he played only 33 games before being traded again. He reached a career-high average of 20.1 points per game and received the NBA Comeback Player of the Year award in 1985.
However, his playing career was cut short in 1986 when he was suspended indefinitely after violating the league’s drug policy three times. He later wrote about his struggles with substance abuse in his book, “Forbidden: How I Wasted My All-Star NBA Career Before Finding Salvation.”
Although he attempted to continue his career in the United States Basketball League and the Continental Basketball Association, he never returned to the NBA, despite having his suspension lifted after two years.
Over his career, Richardson maintained averages of 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game, and led the league in steals three times.
Reflecting on his dismissal from the NBA, Richardson recounted, “On my darkest day, they met me at the airport and told me I had been kicked out of the NBA. I knew what was happening as soon as I got off the plane. I went home and indulged for a few days. Then I realized how much I loved the game. You really have to put yourself out there.”
Later in life, he transitioned into coaching roles in the CBA and the Canadian National Basketball League but faced controversy in 2007 when he was suspended for making anti-Semitic comments while coaching the Albany Patrons.
