Michael Ray Richardson dies at 70: What was the former NBA star’s cause of death?

Four-time All Star Michael Ray Richardson was banned for life from the NBA in 1986 by then commissioner David Stern.

The reason for the ban was drug policy violations, specifically after testing positive for cocaine for a third time in three seasons. He was the first active NBA player to be banned by the league for this reason.

He was later reinstated in 1988, but he chose to continue his professional basketball career overseas in Europe instead of returning to the NBA.

Michael Ray Richardson played for the following teams during his eight-year NBA career:

• New York Knicks (1978–1982)
• Golden State Warriors (1982–1983)
• New Jersey Nets (1983–1986)

He was drafted by the New York Knicks as the fourth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. He was a four-time NBA All-Star during his career.

After being banned from the NBA, Richardson continued his professional basketball career by playing for teams in various leagues both in the US and overseas.

His career outside the NBA included: minor US leagues and a spell in various European teams playing in countries like Italy, France, and Croatia.

He retired from professional basketball in 2002 and passed away at the age of 70 shortly after getting diagnosed with prostate cancer.

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