The Detroit Pistons announced Sunday that former NBA big man Earl Cureton, who played 12 seasons in the league and won two championships, has passed away. He was 66 years old.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Culton in the second round of the 1979 NBA Draft after a standout collegiate career with Robert Morris and Detroit Mercy. He won a championship with the 76ers in 1982-83 and then with the Houston Rockets in 1994.
He played for the Pistons from 1983 to 1986.
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Pistons community ambassador Earl Cureton during a game in Detroit on February 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
“The Detroit Pistons organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Earl Cureton, who meant so much to our organization as a colleague, former player, community ambassador, and friend,” Pistons President Tom Gores said in a statement. Stated. “While he was a tough competitor during his time on the court, he was just as kind-hearted, outgoing and influential off the court.
“He represented our franchise with great passion and truly enjoyed working to give back and improve the lives of Detroiters in the city he loved. We extend our deepest condolences to Earl’s family and countless friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
Cureton also played for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors. He played overseas in Italy, France, Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina.
Earl Cureton of the Rockets during Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Phoenix Suns on May 21, 1994 in Houston. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
“We are all hurt by the unexpected loss of Earl Cureton,” Basketball Hall of Famer Isaiah Thoms said. “He was a great teammate, a tough competitor, a champion and a great human being.
“Earl always had the Detroit community in his heart and worked tirelessly to make a difference in the city he loved. He will be sorely missed.”
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Cureton also coached in the NBA, United Basketball League, and Continental Basketball Association.
Current Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups spoke out about the death of his former teammate.
Circa 1985, Earl Cureton of the Detroit Pistons makes a slam dunk against the Washington Bullets at the Capital Center in Landover, Maryland. (Focus on Sports/Getty Images)
“He was just a beautiful guy,” he said before his team’s game against the Denver Nuggets. “I spent a lot of time with him in Detroit, a big teddy bear of course. Always so much fun. He had a contagious laugh and made everyone laugh every time he laughed. .I never had a bad day.”
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“I’m amazed at people like that, people like that. The world can be really rough and tough, but they never see it that way, right? And I’m amazed at people like that. But I loved it. Every time I went to Detroit, I thought, ‘Give me a big hug.’ So today was tough news. ”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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