Out of the NBA for nearly 10 years, Roy Tarpley is scheduled to make his CBA debut writes Pro Basketball News’ Sam Amico.
Former Dallas forward Roy Tarpley has signed with the CBA’s Michigan Mayhem. Tarpley is 6-11 and turned 41 years old last week. He was drafted with the No. 7 pick by the Mavericks in 1986. Tarpley played for the Mavs from 1986-90 before being barred from the league for repeated substance abuse violations. He returned to Dallas for the 1994-95 season, and compiled career averages of 12.6 points and 10.0 rebounds.
Best basketball card I ever wrote — which, sadly, will probably never come out — was for Roy, in which I described him as “a staggering talent.” If he could’ve gotten his shit together enough to autograph the card as part of the set in which it was slated to appear — which he couldn’t, or at least didn’t — it would’ve come out. Apparently it’s easier to get a job with the CBA than to sit down and sign a few hundred stickers.
in which I described him as “a staggering talent.â€
that’s fucking priceless. i wish him well but reading this made me very sad for some reason. too bad he fucked his career to the point where he needs to, or at least feels like he needs to, come back at the age of 41. it could’ve been different, roy.
Thing is, the die was cast for him long ago. His issues with blow were well known in Michigan basketball circles dating back to his time in Ann Arbor.
Major talent, of course, but it honestly surprised me he played as well as he did as long as he managed to in the NBA, if you can believe that.
Way to go Roy!! I know the road you traveled down was a tough one. Congrats on your recovery!
hey! Roy I was checking on the web and I wanted to see where you were and so you playing ball else where these days thats good,and I’m glad that you are in recovery.one of the tripletts from palm springs if you remember [email protected]
One of the best forwards never to reach his full potential. Len Bias (overdose) was the other.
Roy Tarpley was one of my favorite palyers in the 1980’s. An outstanding player.