DETROIT — Earl “The Twirl” Cureton, who received two NBA championships in 12 seasons within the league, has died. He was 66.
Cureton, who served as a group ambassador for the Detroit Pistons for the previous 10 years, died “unexpectedly” Sunday morning, based on a launch from the Pistons. No different info was offered by the group.
“Earl was one of the beneficiant, constructive and caring folks I knew,” Pistons proprietor Tom Gores stated. “He was a loving father, dedicated to his household, and I used to be honored to be his buddy. He was a champion as a participant and an necessary ambassador in our group. We’re heartbroken over his loss.”
The 6-foot-9 Cureton started his collegiate profession with Robert Morris earlier than transferring to Detroit Mercy for his ultimate two seasons beneath then-coach Dick Vitale. He averaged 20 factors and 9.1 rebounds in the course of the 1979-80 season and is a member of the college’s athletic Corridor of Fame.
“I’m heartbroken,” Vitale stated in a textual content message to The Detroit Information on Sunday. “He liked the Motor Metropolis and was so pleased with working so onerous to make it to the NBA.
“And Earl was all the time attempting to encourage younger folks to chase their goals.”
The Detroit native was chosen by Philadelphia within the third spherical of the 1979 NBA draft.
Cureton averaged 5.4 factors and 4.7 rebounds in 674 NBA video games. He performed for Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, the LA Clippers, Charlotte, Houston and Toronto. He was a part of championship groups with the 1982-83 76ers and 93-94 Rockets.
He additionally coached within the NBA, United States Basketball League and Continental Basketball Affiliation after his enjoying profession.
“He was an amazing teammate, powerful competitor, a champion and an important human being,” former Pistons guard Isiah Thomas stated within the group’s launch. “Earl all the time held the Detroit group near his coronary heart and labored tirelessly to make a distinction for town he liked. He will likely be drastically missed.”
Portland Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups took the information of his former teammate’s loss of life onerous.
“He was only a stunning dude,” Billups stated earlier than the Path Blazers’ recreation in Denver on Sunday evening. “I spent a variety of time with him in Detroit, clearly. Only a massive teddy bear. All the time so enjoyable. He had a kind of infectious laughs the place each time he laughed he made all people chuckle. By no means had a nasty day, ever. I marvel at guys like that, folks like that. The world may be actually tough and difficult and so they by no means see it that method, you understand? And I liked that about him. Each time I would go to Detroit, I would give him an enormous hug. So, that was powerful information right now.”
The Related Press and Subject Degree Media contributed to this report.
