The Detroit sports community mourns the sudden loss of former Pistons player Earl Cureton, known affectionately as "The Twirl," who died unexpectedly at the age of 66. The Detroit News reported that Cureton passed away Sunday morning, but a cause of death was not immediately disclosed. The 12-year NBA veteran and ambassador for Detroit Pistons collapsed at his Farmington Hills home.
A staple in Detroit basketball, Cureton's legacy spanned from his high school days at Detroit Finney to his collegiate career at University of Detroit Mercy, and onto the Pistons where he left an indelible mark. After being drafted in the 1979 NBA Draft, Cureton won NBA championships with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983 and with the Houston Rockets in 1994, embodying the spirit of a pivotal bench player who played alongside legends like Julius Erving and Michael Jordan, according to an article on Detroit Free Press.
Known for his community engagement, Cureton rejoined the Pistons organization in 2013, where he was instrumental in renovating basketball courts and hosting charitable events such as the annual Toys for Tots drive. "Earl was one of the most generous, positive and caring people I know," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement announcing Cureton's death on Sunday, as reported by The Detroit News.
Despite retiring after the 1996-97 season, Cureton, who had his number 24 retired by U of D in 2020, continued to inspire and work extensively in the community, fulfilling a promise to his late mother by completing his degree in 2011. He had been a beloved figure in the city, working not only as an ambassador but also as a television analyst for the Titans for over a decade, and "He represented our franchise with great passion," the Pistons organization said in a release provided to FOX 2 Detroit.
Pistons legend Isiah Thomas reflected on the loss, saying, "All of us are hurting with the unexpected loss of Earl Cureton," as conveyed in a statement. Thomas lauded Cureton not only as a "tremendous teammate," but also as a "tough competitor, a champion and a great human being" who deeply cared for the Detroit community. Cureton's most recent endeavor was publishing his autobiography, "Earl the Twirl: My Life in Basketball," which was released late last year and illustrated his perseverance and impact both on and off the court. Funeral arrangements, as confirmed by the Pistons and Detroit Mercy, were pending.
