NBA Legend's Redemption Story Cuts Short: Micheal Ray Richardson Passes Away at 70
Micheal Ray Richardson, the NBA guard who had his career derailed by a stint in the slammer for violating the league's drug policy in the 1980s, has died at the age of 70. According to sources close to him, Richardson passed away Tuesday at his home in Lawton, Oklahoma, surrounded by his wife and loved ones.
Despite the setbacks he faced, Richardson went on to have a remarkable post-NBA life. He won five championships as a coach in the Continental Basketball Association and NBL Canada, cementing his legacy as one of the most driven and determined individuals in the sport.
Richardson's NBA career was marked by incredible talent and achievements. A three-time All-Big Sky Conference player at Montana, he was drafted fourth overall in 1978, ahead of Larry Bird. He played for the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets over eight seasons, earning four All-Star selections and leading the league in steals three times.
However, his NBA career was cut short when he tested positive for cocaine in 1986. His punishment included a ban from the league, but Richardson has spoken publicly about how that experience taught him valuable lessons about redemption and perseverance.
In the years following his playing days, Richardson turned to coaching and mentoring as a way to give back to his community. He founded and coached several successful teams in the Continental Basketball Association and NBL Canada, earning the respect of fans and peers alike.
Those who knew Richardson described him as an inspirational figure, driven by a fierce determination to succeed. "He was just an incredible player, and no one had seen anybody like him at that time," said his friend and attorney John Zelbst. "He was Magic (Johnson) before Magic."
Richardson's legacy extends far beyond his on-court accomplishments. He leaves behind a family and community that will miss his bright spirit and infectious enthusiasm.
"Anybody that ever met him would just be fascinated by him," Zelbst said, fighting back tears. "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."
In the end, Richardson's story serves as a testament to the power of redemption and second chances. Despite facing numerous setbacks, he never lost sight of his dreams or gave up on himself. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes, coaches, and community leaders to come.
Micheal Ray Richardson, the NBA guard who had his career derailed by a stint in the slammer for violating the league's drug policy in the 1980s, has died at the age of 70. According to sources close to him, Richardson passed away Tuesday at his home in Lawton, Oklahoma, surrounded by his wife and loved ones.
Despite the setbacks he faced, Richardson went on to have a remarkable post-NBA life. He won five championships as a coach in the Continental Basketball Association and NBL Canada, cementing his legacy as one of the most driven and determined individuals in the sport.
Richardson's NBA career was marked by incredible talent and achievements. A three-time All-Big Sky Conference player at Montana, he was drafted fourth overall in 1978, ahead of Larry Bird. He played for the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets over eight seasons, earning four All-Star selections and leading the league in steals three times.
However, his NBA career was cut short when he tested positive for cocaine in 1986. His punishment included a ban from the league, but Richardson has spoken publicly about how that experience taught him valuable lessons about redemption and perseverance.
In the years following his playing days, Richardson turned to coaching and mentoring as a way to give back to his community. He founded and coached several successful teams in the Continental Basketball Association and NBL Canada, earning the respect of fans and peers alike.
Those who knew Richardson described him as an inspirational figure, driven by a fierce determination to succeed. "He was just an incredible player, and no one had seen anybody like him at that time," said his friend and attorney John Zelbst. "He was Magic (Johnson) before Magic."
Richardson's legacy extends far beyond his on-court accomplishments. He leaves behind a family and community that will miss his bright spirit and infectious enthusiasm.
"Anybody that ever met him would just be fascinated by him," Zelbst said, fighting back tears. "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."
In the end, Richardson's story serves as a testament to the power of redemption and second chances. Despite facing numerous setbacks, he never lost sight of his dreams or gave up on himself. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes, coaches, and community leaders to come.
, his life story is so inspiring - from being drafted 4th overall to being a coach in the CBA, he showed us that it's never too late to turn your life around. his determination and perseverance are a great example for anyone who's ever faced setbacks or doubted themselves. 
. you think your NBA days are behind you but then you go out there and still manage to coach and do all that other stuff? huge props to MR R for the comeback 
. can't imagine having a life like that though - all that pressure, expectation, and whatnot... i'd probably be broke and living in some ranch in oklahoma by now 
. anyway, glad he's leaving behind a legacy and all that jazz... 5 championships isn't bad either 
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he won 5 championships and was always driven by determination, thats an inspiration to us all 
and now hes gone leaving behind a legacy that will live on forever 
... went from being banned from the league to coaching and mentoring in canada lol what a comeback 
. his legacy is all about redemption and second chances, so let's give it up for micheal ray 
i feel bad that we're just hearing about this now, like days after everyone else had commented on it 
. still, his legacy lives on through all the people he inspired and mentored during his post-NBA life. rest in peace Micheal Ray Richardson 
he was an inspiration to so many people and I can only imagine how hard it must've been for him to face all those challenges but he never gave up, you know? 
he was an iconic figure in the NBA & left a lasting impact on the sport 
michel's story is a reminder that it's never too late to make a change & pursue your dreams 
michael ray richardson's story is so inspiring i mean the guy went from being a talented player to being banned from the league for a mistake that could have been avoided, but instead he turned it into a chance to coach and mentor others. his determination is something we can all learn from 
. his story is so inspiring, especially to people who've been through tough times themselves. it just goes to show that you can come back from anything if you're driven enough