Former Dallas Maverick loses his battle with drug addiction and his life yesterday

Former professional basketball player Roy Tarpley passed away yesterday in a hospital in Arlington, Texas at age 50. The cause of death wasn’t listed on the Tarrant County death certificate, however, it has been alleged and reported that Tarpley died from a drug overdose.

Tarpley was drafted into the NBA in 1986 as the 7th pick in the first round of the ’86 NBA Draft. After only four seasons, Tarpley’s substance problem became evident after he was arrested twice, then finally permanently banned from the NBA in 1995 for not finishing a court imposed aftercare program.

The Michigan native by way of the Big Apple sued the Mavericks and the NBA, claiming that their refusal to reinstate him violated the Americans with Disabilities Act because substance abuse is categorized as a disability. The suit was settled out of court in March 2009.

In the few seasons the center and power forward was on the court, he set himself apart from his peers, making the All-Rookie team his first season and the NBA’s Sixth Man Of The Year award in 1988. He finished his NBA career averaging 12.6 points and 10 rebounds per game. Tarpley played in other pro leagues in China, Greece, and Russia, with additional time spent in the Canadian Basketball Association and the USBL.

The Source send its condolences to Tarpley’s family and friends.

-Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)