Roy Tarpley, who played all six of his NBA seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, died Friday in an Arlington hospital at the age of 50.
He passed away at 2:50 p.m. Friday, according to the Medical Examiner. He was in the Intensive Care Unit.
Tarpley was suspended for three seasons during his promising NBA career, between 1991 and 1994, due to substance abuse. He played just five games in the 1990-91 season.
The Mavericks selected Tarpley in the first round of the 1986 draft. He averaged a double-double in his career, putting up 12.6 points and just over 10 rebounds per game over 280 games.
The franchise's worst years coincided with Tarpley's suspension. From 1990-94, the team went just 74-254, including seasons of 11 and 13 wins.
Tarpley, who measured 6-foot-11, 230 pounds during his playing career, played power forward and center.
He was permanently banned from the NBA at age 30 for alcohol abuse and violating terms of his court-ordered aftercare program, according to an Associated Press report.
A cause of death has not been confirmed at this time.
