CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A member of the Charlotte Hornets’ inaugural team has passed away, the team announced.
The Hornets said Sunday that Earl Cureton, who played two stints in Charlotte, died. He was 66 years old.
During his time in Charlotte, Cureton played in 91 games, averaging six points and nearly six rebounds per game. He played in all 82 contests during the inaugural season in 1988-89 before playing overseas the following season. He returned for the 1990-91 campaign, but only saw action in nine games.
Cureton also spent time with the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets. He played a total of 12 seasons in the league, winning championships in 1983 and 1994 with the 76ers and Rockets, respectively.
The longtime center was a native of Detroit and was remembered by another Michigan native, Magic Johnson.
“Rest in peace to a fellow Michigan native and my good friend, Earl Cureton,” Johnson said on social media. “He had a big heart, was funny, and truly was a pleasure to be around! Cookie and I are praying for the Cureton family and all of Earl’s close friends during this difficult time.”
Rex Chapman, the Hornets’ first-ever draft pick, also took to social media to remember Cureton, posting a thread of pictures and videos of his former teammate.
“‘Twirl’ was one of the nicest guys you’ve ever met,” Chapman said in his post. “Loved to laugh. Funny. A great teammate and better person. 66 seems too young.”
Hornets legend Muggsy Bogues also paid tribute to Cureton, calling him one of his “closest teammates” and “someone [he] considered family.”
The Pistons said in a press release that Cureton died unexpectedly Sunday morning. They did not give a cause of death.
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