DETROIT — Earl “The Twirl” Cureton, who started his college basketball at Robert Morris and later won two NBA championships in 12 seasons in the league, has died. He was 66.
Cureton, who served as a community ambassador for the Detroit Pistons for the last 10 years, died “unexpectedly” on Sunday morning, according to a release from the Pistons. No other information was provided by the team.
“Earl was one of the most generous, positive and caring people I knew,” Pistons owner Tom Gores said. “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.”
After playing two years at Robert Morris, where he is a member of the school’s athletics hall of fame, the 6-foot-9 Cureton transferred to Detroit Mercy for his final two seasons under then-coach Dick Vitale.
The Detroit native was selected by Philadelphia in the third round of the 1979 NBA Draft.
Cureton averaged 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 674 NBA games. He played for Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte, Houston and Toronto. He was part of championship teams with the 1982-83 76ers and 93-94 Rockets.
He also coached in the NBA, United States Basketball League and Continental Basketball Association after his playing career.
“He was a tremendous teammate, tough competitor, a champion and a great human being,” former Pistons guard Isiah Thomas said in the team’s release. “Earl always held the Detroit community close to his heart and worked tirelessly to make a difference for the city he loved. He will be greatly missed.”