The year 2025 has been a somber one for the NBA community, and it ended on an especially heavy note. As fans were still grappling with the loss of three-time Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, another basketball legend, Michael Ray Richardson, bid farewell to the world. Richardson, a four-time NBA All-Star, passed away Tuesday in Lawton, Oklahoma, at 70, shortly after a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Richardson, affectionately nicknamed “Sugar,” carved out a career that few could forget. Born in Denver, he first made waves at the University of Montana, earning three All-Big Sky Conference honors before the New York Knicks selected him fourth overall in the 1978 NBA Draft, just two spots ahead of Larry Bird. From the start, Richardson’s game dazzled fans. Known for his speed, vision, and defensive prowess, he could score, pass, and steal with equal brilliance.

Richardson’s NBA journey spanned the Knicks, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. He was a four-time All-Star and led the league in steals three times, earning a reputation as one of the fiercest defenders of his era. His 1984-85 season with New Jersey was particularly memorable, averaging 20.1 points, 8.2 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and a league-best 3.0 steals per game, a performance that earned him the NBA’s Comeback Player of the Year award. 

Despite his incredible talent, Richardson faced personal challenges, including a ban from the NBA in 1986 following repeated violations of the league’s d— policy, stemming from his struggles with substance abuse.

Even after leaving the NBA, Richardson’s passion for basketball never waned. He continued his career overseas in Italy and France, retiring in 2002 after a stint with AC Golfe-Juan-Vallauris. But his story didn’t stop at playing. 

Transitioning to coaching, he guided teams in the Continental Basketball Association and NBL Canada, winning multiple championships with the Albany Patroons, Oklahoma/Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry, and the London Lightning. His dedication extended beyond professional courts, as he ran basketball camps for underserved communities, mentoring young athletes alongside former Nets teammate Otis Birdsong.

Even in his later years in Lawton, Oklahoma, Richardson’s guidance and mentorship helped shape countless lives, proving that his impact reached far beyond stats, accolades, or headlines, it lived in the hearts of the players and communities he touched.

NBA community pays heartfelt tributes to Michael Ray Richardson

Magic Johnson took to social media, posting: “My good friend and 4-time NBA All-Star Michael Ray Richardson passed away today. Michael Ray could do everything on the basketball court! He was so skilled and talented. He will be missed. I’ll be praying for the family. R.I.P. 🙏🏾”

During his NBA days, Richardson earned comparisons to the greats. “Back when he played, the best guards were Magic [Johnson] and then Sugar,” recalled former guard Quinn Buckner. Magic and Richardson faced off 11 times on the court, with Magic holding an 8-3 edge, but Richardson’s talent and impact were never in doubt.

Montana Grizzlies Basketball added their voice, sharing on their official page: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of Griz legend Michael Ray Richardson.” During his time at Montana, he played over 107 games, averaging 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 49% shooting, earning First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

He still shares the school’s single-game scoring record with 40 points and holds the record for most field goals in a game at 18. In the 1977-78 season, he set Montana’s highest single-season scoring average at 24.2 points per game. By the end of his college career, Richardson ranked second in total points with 1,827, third in career assists with 372, and ninth in rebounds, cementing his place as one of the program’s all-time greats.

The NBA’s official account offered a heartfelt message: “The NBA mourns the passing of four-time All-Star Michael Ray Richardson. Michael dedicated his post-NBA career to using his life story to teach life skills to young people. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends, and fans.”

Isaiah Thomas responded simply but emotionally, leaving under the post: “🙏🏽❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽”

Stephon Marbury reflected on Richardson’s legacy, writing: “May your family feel less pain as moments pass. You gave the planet a nice show!”

Even New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown shared his condolences in a post-game press conference: “On behalf of myself and the Knicks organization, we’d like to give our condolences to Michael Ray Richardson and his family and Lenny Wilkens and his family and friends as well. Those two men were iconic figures in the game of basketball, and we just want to make sure our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and their friends.”

In the 1979-80 season, Richardson shone for the Knicks, averaging 15.3 points while leading the entire NBA in both assists (10.1 per game) and steals (3.2 per game). In doing so, he became just the third player in league history, after Slick Watts and Don Buse, to top the league in both categories in the same season. He also set franchise records for the Knicks in assists and steals, while recording 18 triple-doubles, the second-highest total in team history.