Michael Ray Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star player, died on Tuesday at the age of 70. The guard was one of the top basketball players in the league before his ban for drug use in 1986. Richardson died of prostate cancer in his home in Lawton, Oklahoma, with his wife, Kimberly Richardson, present, according to the Associated Press.

Michael Ray Richardson’s legacy as one of the top players in NBA history

Richardson was a three-time All-Big Sky Conference player at the University of Montana before being drafted in the NBA. He was selected by the New York Knicks as the fourth overall pick in 1978. Richardson also went on to play for the Golden State Warriors and the New Jersey Nets, which earned him four All-Star selections. He reached a career high during the 1984-85 season, during which he averaged 20.1 points and 8.2 assists and 3.0 steals per contest, according to the Associated Press.

“He had it all as a player, with no weaknesses in his game,” former Detroit Pistons guard Isiah Thomas, said in an interview with Andscape. “He is the player who gave me the most problems playing against him. He was taller, just as fast and could shoot from 3 and midrange. His post-up game was elite. Offensively, he had it all.”

“Back when he played in the NBA, the best guards were Magic [Johnson] and then Sugar,” former NBA guard Quinn Buckner added, according to ESPN.

Richardson also coached the Oklahoma/Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry to two Central Basketball Association championships and one Premier Basketball League championship. He also coached the London Lightning to two NBL Canada championships.

“Anybody that ever met him would just be fascinated by him,” Richardson’s attorney and close friend John Zelbst told the Associated Press. “He was such a bright light and I’m going to dearly miss him. He turned out to be my best pal, and it’s just heartbreaking.”

Michael Ray Richardson’s ban from the NBA

In 1986, Richardson was banned from the NBA for violating the league’s drug policy for cocaine use. He finished his career playing for the Continental Basketball Association and overseas in Italy and France. Richardson retired in 2022 after playing for France’s AC Golfe-Juan-Vallauris.

“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, according to ESPN. “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.”

Zelbst spoke highly of Richardson’s redemption arc after his ban: “The basketball world and anyone Michael came in contact with lost a great sportsman,” he 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.”

“It was a life of redemption and winning,” Zelbst added, per the Associated Press. “Redemption and winning. It’s incredible.”

In 2024, Richardson co-authored a book reflecting on his life and career titled Banned: How I Squandered an All-Star NBA Career Before Finding My Redemption. He turned 70 in May, which he referred to as a “blessing.” Richardson celebrated with a surprise party hosted by his family members in Phoenix.

“I’m still here after all the s**t I’ve gone through,” Richardson said at the time. “I was thanking everyone for coming. It was a surprise. All of my friends were happy to see me because I haven’t seen all of my friends in 10 years. It’s really good to see your friends because every year you lose somebody.”

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