Micheal Ray Richardson, the former NBA All-Star who was banned by the league for life in 1986, died Tuesday at the age of 70.
Richardson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft out of Montana, was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, his attorney and friend John Zelbst told Andscape.
Richardson, nicknamed “Sugar,” played for the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets between 1978 and 1986. He was a four-time All-Star and the 1985 NBA Comeback Player of the Year. He also led the NBA in steals three times and averaged 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game in his 556-game career.
Richardson’s time in the NBA was cut short in Feb. 1986 when, after his third violation of the NBA’s drug policy, commissioner David Stern made him the first active player to be banned for life by the league. After being reinstated in 1988, Richardson decided against returning to the NBA and remained playing in Europe.
Following his playing days, Richardson coached in the Continental Basketball Association, the Premiere Basketball League and the National Basketball League of Canada.