Former NBA All-Star Micheal Ray Richardson dies at 70 after battle with cancer

Former NBA guard Michael Ray Richardson — known to fans as “Sugar” — has passed away at 70 after a battle with prostate cancer, Marc J. Spears of ESPN reported Tuesday.

Richardson died in Oklahoma, surrounded by loved ones.

A four-time All-Star and one of the most electric two-way guards of his era, Richardson was the No. 4 overall pick in the 1978 draft out of Montana. He quickly became a star with the New York Knicks, earning three All-Star selections and two All-Defensive First Team honors during his four-year run in New York.

Richardson later played for the Golden State Warriors and the New Jersey Nets, making another All-Star appearance in 1985.

His career was cut short in 1986, when he was banned from the league for repeated violations of the NBA’s drug policy after testing positive for cocaine use.

Even after leaving the NBA, Richardson continued to play professionally for nearly two more decades — spending time in the CBA, USBL, and later in Europe, where he became a beloved figure through the early 2000s. He later turned to coaching, leading several teams across the U.S. and Canada.

In 556 career NBA games, Richardson averaged 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game. He led the league in steals three times and in assists once.

“The basketball world and anyone Micheal came in contact with lost a great sportsman,” his attorney and close friend John Zelbst told ESPN. “He overcame incredible odds. He’s one of the greatest players never inducted into the Hall of Fame — an incredible player, person, and family man.”