DETROIT — Earl "The Twirl" Cureton, a Detroit native, former Pistons and Detroit Mercy player, as well as a community ambassador and occasional color analyst with the team, has died at the age of 66.
Cureton passed away unexpectedly Sunday morning, the Pistons announced.
Cureton, who spent three of his 12 NBA seasons with the Pistons (1983-86), played collegiately at Robert Morris in Pennsylvania before transferring to Detroit Mercy, where he played two seasons under coach Dick Vitale.
Cureton’s No. 24 was retired by Detroit Mercy in 2020 and he belongs to the Hall of Fame at both schools. On Saturday Cureton was the color analyst on the ESPN+ broadcast between the two teams at Calihan Hall in Detroit.
Cureton was on Friday's Pistons broadcast alongside play-by-play announcer Mark Champion, who said during Sunday's game Cureton would be missed.
"We're just devastated here that we learned that our friend and partner Earl Cureton passed away. It was just shocking news, everybody here is stunned and effected," Champion said.
“The Detroit Pistons organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Earl Cureton, a person who meant so much to the organization as a colleague, former player, community ambassador and friend,” the team said in a statement released Sunday.
“As tough a competitor as he was during his playing years on the court, he was equally kind-hearted, outgoing and impactful off it. He represented our franchise with great passion and truly enjoyed working to give back and improve the lives of Detroiters in the city he loved so much. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Earl’s family and countless friends and teammates during this most difficult time,” the statement said,
Pistons legend Isaiah Thomas said “all of us are hurting”
“He was a tremendous teammate, tough competitor, a champion and a great human being,” Thomas said, per a press release. “Earl always held the Detroit community close to his heart and worked tirelessly to make a difference for the city he loved. He will be greatly missed.”