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Former NBA star Michael Ray Richardson, banned for drug use, dies at 70
Michael Ray Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star banned for drug use, died at 70 after a brief prostate cancer battle, leaving a legacy of redemption and leadership.
- On Nov 11, 2025, Micheal Ray Richardson died in Lawton, Oklahoma after a short battle with prostate cancer at 70, his attorney and friend John Zelbst told Andscape.
- Selected fourth overall in the 1978 NBA draft, Micheal Ray Richardson began with the New York Knicks but was banned in 1986 for a third drug-policy violation related to cocaine use, then played in the Continental Basketball Association and overseas in Italy and France.
- Nicknamed `Sugar`, Micheal Ray Richardson had an eight-year NBA career with the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey Nets and earned four All-Star selections.
- The basketball world and anyone Micheal Ray Richardson came in contact with lost a great sportsman, Zelbst said, expressing the reaction to Richardson's death.
- His son Michael Amir Junior Richardson plays professionally for Fiorentina and the Morocco national team, while Richardson retired to Oklahoma with his wife Kimberly and was a recent Thunder attendee.
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Michael Ray Richardson, versatile guard banned from NBA for violating drug policy in the 1980s, dies
Michael Ray Richardson, a versatile guard who was banned from the NBA for violating its drug policy in the 1980s, has died. He was 70. Richardson’s attorney and close friend, John Zelbst, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. Richardson,…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources24
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 29%
C 47%
R 24%
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