Earl Cureton facts for kids
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Cureton (left) coaching a 2002 Summer League game
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 3, 1957 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | February 4, 2024 (aged 66) |
| High school | Finney (Detroit, Michigan) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
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| NBA Draft | 1979 / Round: 3 / Pick: 58th overall |
| Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers | |
| Pro career | 1980–1997 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1980–1983 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1983 | Olimpia Milano |
| 1983–1986 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1986–1987 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1987–1988 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 1988–1989 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1989–1990 | Olimpia Milano |
| 1991 | Charlotte Hornets |
| 1991 | New Haven Skyhawks |
| 1991–1992 | Tours Joué Basket |
| 1993–1994 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 1994 | Houston Rockets |
| 1996–1997 | Toronto Raptors |
| As coach: | |
| 1998 | Camden Power |
| 2003–2004 | Long Beach Jam |
| 2004–2005 | Orange County Crush |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach:
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 3,620 (5.4 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 3,172 (4.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 678 (1.0 apg) |
Earl Cureton (born September 3, 1957 – died February 4, 2024) was a talented American professional basketball player. People sometimes called him "The Twirl." He was known for playing as a power forward and center. Cureton played for many teams during his career, including two that won NBA championships.
Earl Cureton's Early Basketball Days
Earl Cureton started his basketball journey at Finney High School in Detroit. After high school, he went to play college basketball at Robert Morris University. He played there for one season, from 1976 to 1977. During that time, he averaged 17.2 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
After one year, he decided to move back home. He transferred to the University of Detroit. He had to sit out one year because of the transfer rules. Then, he teamed up with Terry Duerod, who also became an NBA player. They led the Detroit Titans to the 1979 NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. The team finished the 1978–79 season ranked #20 nationally. In his final year, 1979-80, Cureton had an amazing season. He averaged 19.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Because of his great play, he was added to the Detroit Mercy Titans Hall of Fame in 2007.
Playing Professional Basketball
Earl Cureton was chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1979 NBA draft. He was the 58th player picked overall. He played for the 76ers for three seasons. In the 1982-83 NBA season, he helped the team win an NBA Championship!
After his time with the 76ers, he returned to his hometown. He signed with the Detroit Pistons for three seasons, starting in 1983. Cureton then played for several other NBA teams. These included the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and finally the Toronto Raptors. With the Houston Rockets in the 1993-94 NBA season, he won his second NBA Championship!
He played a total of 674 regular NBA games and 54 playoff games. On average, he scored 5.4 points and grabbed 4.7 rebounds per game. Besides the NBA, Cureton also played basketball in other countries. He played in Italy, France, Venezuela, Mexico, and Argentina. He retired from playing basketball in February 1997, when he was 39 years old.
Life After Playing Basketball
After his playing career, Earl Cureton stayed involved in basketball. In 2013, he became a Community Ambassador for the Detroit Pistons. In this role, he helped the Pistons connect with the community. He worked on outreach programs and partnerships.
Before joining the Pistons, Cureton also spent time coaching. He coached in the WNBA, the United States Basketball League, and the Continental Basketball Association. He also went back to college and finished his degree at the University of Detroit in 2011. This was a promise he had made to his mother. Later, he worked as a basketball analyst for Detroit Mercy Titans games on ESPN+ and radio.
Earl Cureton passed away on February 4, 2024, at the age of 66.
