Michael Ray Richardson

Four-time steals champion whose brilliance was derailed by substance abuse — one of basketball's great tragedies.

Michael Ray Richardson was born in Lubbock, Texas in 1955. New York Knicks selected him fourth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft. His career produced 14.8 points, 7.4 assists and a remarkable 3.2 steals per game — he won the steals title four times, the most of any player in NBA history at that time. He was selected to four All-Star games and named All-NBA Second Team twice. He was arguably the most talented all-around point guard in the NBA from 1978 to 1982 — combining elite defensive disruption with excellent playmaking and above-average scoring. He was permanently banned from the NBA in 1986 after his third drug-related violation — the NBA's permanent ban policy. He played in European leagues for years after the ban. His career is one of basketball's most painful what-might-have-been stories — at his peak he was comparable to Magic Johnson defensively and in terms of playmaking volume — a talent that substance abuse destroyed at the age of 30. He was reinstated years later but never returned to the NBA. His career represents the human cost of addiction at the highest professional level.

Dynamic point guard with exceptional court vision and defensive instincts

Talented point guard whose career was cut short by drug issues

• Steals Champion 4x
• All-Star 4x
• All-NBA Second Team 2x