Former NBAer Roy Tarpley dies at 50
Roy Tarpley, who played in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks from 1986 to 1991 and again during the 1994-95 season, died Friday. He was 50 years old.
Tarpley was the No. 7 pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 1987-88. The 6-foot-11 center was considered a double-double threat every night, but drug problems plagued his career. He was expelled from the league after a third substance abuse violation in 1991, and later banned for life after violating terms of his aftercare program during a 1995 comeback attempt.
In 280 NBA contests, Tarpley averaged a double-double - 12.6 points and 10 rebounds.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban shared his condolences in a tweet sent Friday night:
Our condolences go out to the family of Roy Tarpley. RIP Roy. Mavs fans everywhere will remember you fondly
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 10, 2015