Former Dallas Mavericks center, Roy Tarpley, died on Friday at the age of 50.
The Tarrant County medical examiner did not list a cause of death for Tarpley, who died at a hospital in Arlington, Texas.
Tarpley, who struggled with cocaine use during his NBA career, was the 1988 sixth man of the year, the last time he would play a full NBA season.
Mavs owner Mark Cuban tweeted: “Our condolences go out to the family of Roy Tarpley. RIP Roy. Mavs fans everywhere will remember you fondly”
The 6’11 center was the seventh overall pick in the 1986 draft out of Michigan. He played for the Mavs until 1991, before being banned for cocaine use.
Tarpley played in Greece until the NBA reinstated him in 1994. He signed a six-year, $20 million contract with the Mavericks but was permanently banned from the NBA in December 1995 for using alcohol and violating the terms of a court-imposed personal aftercare program.
Norm Sonju was the Mavericks’ chief executive when he drafted Tarpley.
“(He was) likable. He was witty. He was funny,” Sonju said. “It’s sad. What breaks your heart is he was just 50 years old. He potentially could have been just an incredible player.”
During his time with the Mavs, Tarpley averaged 12.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in 280 career games.
