Follow usThe Detroit Pistons announced the unexpected passing of former NBA player Earl Cureton on Sunday at the age of 66. The cause of death has not been disclosed, but reports from The Detroit News stated that Cureton collapsed at his home in Farmington Hills, Mich., on Sunday morning.
Cureton, a standout college player at Detroit Mercy, never had the opportunity to play for coach Dick Vitale, who had moved on to coach for the Pistons. However, Vitale played a crucial role in helping Cureton transfer to Detroit Mercy. Expressing his grief, Vitale shared in a text message to The Detroit News on Sunday, “I am heartbroken. He loved the Motor City and was so proud of working so hard to make it to the NBA. And Earl was always trying to inspire young people to chase their dreams.”
Known as “The Twirl,” Cureton enjoyed a 12-season career in the NBA, winning championships with the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers and the 1993-94 Houston Rockets. Over his career, he averaged 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 674 games. Cureton spent three seasons (1983-86) with the Pistons as a player and went on to serve as a community ambassador for the franchise for the last decade.
Pistons owner Tom Gores expressed his sorrow, stating, “Earl was one of the most generous, positive, and caring people I knew. He was a loving father, devoted to his family, and I was honored to be his friend. He was a champion as a player and an important ambassador in our community. We are heartbroken over his loss.”
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