“Earl valued friendships above everything,” a friend of the Pistons legend Earl Cureton said. After his tragic passing, these friends gathered once again in the place he loved, Detroit. Rather than tears, this time, their eyes were filled with happiness as they remembered the legend’s legacy. A street sign on the city’s west side outside the St. Cecilia Gym in Detroit was named specially to honor the 2X NBA champion. It has been a year since the basketball legend passed away, but the ethics and values he cherished still remain close to people’s hearts.

He had immense love for Detroit. After playing for the University of Detroit Mercy, he also played for the Pistons. He was also the community ambassador for the Detroit Pistons. And the only fitting way to honor the basketball legend on the one-year anniversary was a meaningful tribute such as the ‘Earl Cureton Court’ in Detroit. Be it an aspiring athlete or a person from a different field, everyone passing through the intersection of Stearns Street and Livernois will be reminded of the contributions Cureton made to Detroit.

The legend passed away at the age of 66 in February, 2024, after he collapsed at his Farmington Hills home. “Earl was one of the most generous, positive and caring people I know.He was a loving father, and I was honored to be his friend. He was a champion as a player and an important ambassador in our community. We are heartbroken over his loss,” Pistons owner, Tom Gores shared. But he lived a legendary life inspiring and influencing others with his meaningful contributions. 

Earl Cureton played for the Detroit Pistons 

Playing for Detroit Mercy, he led the team to an appearance at the NCAA tournament. He showed his best in his senior season, averaging 19.9 points. Many years after the end of his basketball career, the University paid homage to the legend by retiring his jersey number 24 in 2020. Before his death, he was also honored with the 2024 Michigan Treasure. 

In just two years in the NBA, he led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 1982. However, the team couldn’t keep up and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. The opportunity for the Philadelphia 76ers came again in 1983 when Cureton joined hands with Moses Malone to lead the team to an NBA championship. 

Despite the thrilling displays, the basketball legend nicknamed “Twirl” couldn’t stay with the 76ers. He went on to play in several different leagues, including Italy before getting his chance to play for the Detroit Pistons. After spending three seasons there, he played for the Chicago Bulls (1986-1987), as well as the Los Angeles Clippers (1986-1988) and the Charlotte Hornets (1988-1991).

Twirl also played in the LNB Pro A in France, the Venezuelan SuperLiga, and the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional in Mexico, among others. His chance for another championship came when he joined Hakeem Olajuwon at the Houston Rockets in 1994. Throughout his 12 year NBA career, he played 674 regular games. 

Earl Cureton’s coaching career 

He has always been a part of the sport. After his playing career ended, he went on to take up the role of coach. And Twirl began his coaching career as an assistant to guide the Los Angeles Stars in the 2000–01 season in ABA.

Following this, he coached two more teams, the Southern California Surf and Long Beach Jam, and continued to add good numbers and experiences to his resume. And finally, in 2003, the efforts paid off. 

He led the Jam to the ABA championship, ultimately winning the ABA Coach of the Year. He also worked as an analyst for the Detroit Mercy Titans ESPN+ and radio broadcasts. His coaching stints also include the WNBA. After gaining more expertise coaching the Charlotte Sting in the 2005 and 2006 WNBA seasons, he joined the Phoenix Mercury for two seasons in 2012.

After his tragic passing, Pistons legend Isiah Thomas also shared a message in his honor. “All of us are hurting with the unexpected loss of Earl Cureton. He was a tremendous teammate, tough competitor, a champion and a great human being. 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,” Thomas said. 

In an urge to step into the pro league and play basketball, he had to leave school early. But he made a promise to his mother that he return to complete his education. He didn’t forget the promise. Several years later in 2011, he returned to Detroit Mercy to earn his degree. Much more about his experience is shared in his autobiography, Earl the Twirl: My Life in Basketball which was in 2023.