Michael Ray Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star who was later banned from the league for violating its drug policy, has died at 70, the New York Knicks announced on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Richardson, who had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, died Tuesday in Lawton, Okla., according<\/a> to ESPN. While at one point he preferred \u201cMicheal\u201d as the spelling of his first name<\/a>, his memoir had his name spelled \u201cMichael.\u201d He spent eight years in the NBA playing with the Knicks, Golden State Warriors and New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets, and all three franchises, in addition to his alma mater, Montana, mourned his loss on social media by spelling his first name \u201cMichael.\u201d<\/p>\n We are saddened to learn of the passing of Griz legend Michael Ray Richardson. <\/p>\n Our program’s 2nd leading scorer all-time with the highest single season scoring average ever at 24.2 PPG in 1977-78, Michael Ray would be selected 4th overall by the @nyknicks<\/a> in the 1978 NBA Draft.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/5fA7i3CUdb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Montana Griz Basketball (@MontanaGrizBB) November 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Born in Lubbock, Texas, Richardson was drafted fourth by the Knicks in the 1978 NBA Draft from Montana, where he is a member of the Grizzly Basketball Hall of Fame and the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame<\/a>.<\/p>\n In New York, Richardson was labeled \u201cthe next Walt Frazier,\u201d with many anticipating that he would be the franchise\u2019s next great lead point guard.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are saddened to hear about the passing of former Knick Michael Ray Richardson,\u201d the Knicks said in a statement on X<\/a>. \u201cOne of the fiercest defensive players of his era, the four-time NBA All-Star made an incredible impact on the Knicks during his four seasons with the franchise. Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n Known for his defense, Richardson became the third player in NBA history at the time to lead the league in both steals (3.2) and assists (10.1), doing so in just his second season. Others have matched that feat since, but Richardson\u2019s 3.23 steals per game that season remain the fourth-highest single-season average in NBA history.<\/p>\n Richardson was a standout for much of his eight-year NBA career, grabbing All-Star honors in New York three consecutive seasons (1980-82) and earning the honor a fourth time in 1985 with the Nets. He was also named the 1985 NBA Comeback Player of the Year. Richardson led the league in steals three times and averaged 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.6 steals across 556 career NBA games.<\/p>\n In February 1986, after his third violation of the league\u2019s drug policy, Richardson became the first active player to be banned for life from the NBA. He was reinstated in 1988 but opted to continue his career overseas, including stops in Italy and France.<\/p>\n Richardson later coached in various places, including the Albany Patroons, Lawton-Fort Sill (Okla.) Cavalry and London (Ont.) Lightning between 2004 and 2014.<\/p>\n \u201cThe basketball world and anyone Michael came in contact with lost a great sportsman,\u201d his attorney and friend John Zelbst told Andscape<\/a>. \u201cHe lived life to the fullest. He overcame incredible odds to accomplish what he did in life.<\/p>\n \u201cHe serves as an example of how to redeem yourself and make something of yourself. I think he is the greatest NBA player that has never been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Incredible player, person and family man.\u201d<\/p>\n