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Former Mavericks C Tarpley dies at 50
Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.
All posts by Alan DraperUpdated3 hours ago on April 19, 2024
Former Dallas Mavericks center Roy Tarpley died Friday at a hospital in Arlington, Texas.
No cause of death was listed for Tarpley, the No. 6 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft whose career was cut short by drug and alcohol problems that led to a lifetime ban by the league. He was 50.
The Dallas Morning News reported Friday night that the current Mavericks players were told Tarpley’s death was the result of liver failure.
The 6-foot-11 Tarpley averaged 12.6 points and 10.0 rebounds in 280 career games. One of his career highlights came in his second season when he averaged 17.9 points and 12.9 rebounds while helping the Mavericks reach the 1988 Western Conference finals.
But after the 1987-88 season, when he won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, the suspensions began for driving while intoxicated and violations of the league’s drug policy.
Tarpley was suspended three times in three years and didn’t return to the NBA until the 1994-95 season. He played in 55 games before he was suspended for life after violating the terms of his treatment program.
In 2007, Tarpley sued the NBA and the Mavericks, contending that the league and the team violated the American with Disabilities Act by not reinstating him. A settlement was reached in 2009.
