Michael Ray Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star known for his defensive prowess, died Tuesday at age 70 from prostate cancer. The versatile guard, who led the league in steals three times, passed away at his home in Lawton, Oklahoma. Tributes poured in from the NBA, Knicks and Nets honoring his career and post-playing contributions.
Michael Ray Richardson, selected No. 4 overall by the New York Knicks in the 1978 NBA Draft, enjoyed a standout eight-year NBA career marked by All-Star appearances and statistical leadership. He earned three All-Star nods with the Knicks from 1978-82 and another with the New Jersey Nets in 1984-85. Richardson led the league in steals per game three times—1979-80 (3.2), 1982-83 and 1984-85 (3.0)—and topped assists in 1979-80 with 10.1 per game. That season, he averaged 15.3 points for the Knicks. His best year came in 1984-85 with the Nets, where he posted 20.1 points, 8.2 assists and a league-leading 3.0 steals, earning Comeback Player of the Year honors. He also guided the Nets to a playoff upset over the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers in 1984.
Richardson briefly played for the Golden State Warriors in 1982 before joining the Nets from 1983-86. A three-time All-Big Sky Conference player at Montana, he was banned from the NBA in 1986 for violating the league's drug policy on cocaine, his third infraction. He continued playing in the Continental Basketball Association, Europe— including Italy, Croatia and France—and other leagues until 2002, averaging 14.8 points and 7 assists per game in his NBA regular season.
Post-retirement, Richardson found redemption as a coach, winning five championships: three with the Oklahoma/Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry (CBA in 2008 and 2009, Premier Basketball League in 2010) and two with the London Lightning in NBL Canada. His attorney and friend John Zelbst, who confirmed the death to The Associated Press, described Richardson's life as "a life of redemption and winning." Zelbst added, "He was just an incredible player, and no one had seen anybody like him at that time. He was Magic before Magic."
Former Pistons guard Isiah Thomas praised him, saying, "He had it all as a player, with no weaknesses in his game." The NBA tweeted, "The NBA mourns the passing of four-time All-Star Michael Ray Richardson. Michael dedicated his post-NBA career to using his life story to teach life skills to young people." Similar tributes came from the Knicks and Nets on November 11, 2025. Zelbst noted Richardson's later years guiding young Black men in Lawton, calling him "one of the best people I knew."
