The great Michael Ray Richardson, who had a great career in NBA and in Europe.
Michael Ray Richardson, who was a star for the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets, has passed away after a short battle with cancer.
In February 1986, then-Commissioner David Stern announced Richardson’s lifetime ban from the NBA for drug use.
He was, in fact, the first athlete to be punished for this reason, with the NBA reversing its decision in 1988.
Richardson then came to Europe and played for Virtus Bologna, Split, Livorno, Antibes, Sole, Forli and retired from the pitch in 2002 to become a coach.
He was a four-time All-Star, two-time member of the best defensive five, three-time leading stealer and one-time leading passer.
In his NBA career, from 1978 to 1986, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2.6 steals per 33.4 minutes in 556 regular season games.