Florence, November 11, 2025 – The basketball community is in mourning following the death of Michael Ray Richardson, affectionately known as “Sugar.” His passing is felt across the sports world, not only in basketball—from the NBA to Italian clubs in Bologna, Livorno, and Forlì—but also in football, as he was the father of Fiorentina midfielder Amir Richardson, who is currently in his second season with the Viola.
The New York Knicks, one of the prominent teams Richardson represented during his basketball career, confirmed the news of his passing.
Richardson’s journey in basketball was both remarkable and troubled. He was the fourth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft, enjoying an eight-year career primarily with the New York Knicks from 1978 to 1982 and later with the New Jersey Nets from 1983 to 1986. However, his career was marred by addiction issues, which ultimately led to his disqualification from the NBA.
In 1988, Richardson ventured to Italy to play for Knorr Bologna, where he found success on the court. His time in Italy lasted until 1994, during which he won the Italian Cup in 1989 and was named MVP of the All-Star Game. The following year, he added another Italian Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup to his accolades, setting a record with 50 points in an All-Star Game.
In 1992, he moved to Baker Livorno, where he faced initial skepticism but proved his worth by revitalizing basketball in the city. His contributions reignited local enthusiasm for the sport after the contentious merger of two rival teams, Livorno Basketball and Libertas. Richardson’s notable performance against his former team, Virtus, included a standout game where he scored 32 points, helping secure a playoff spot thanks to a crucial three-pointer by Lauro Bon in the closing moments of overtime.
Despite all odds, Richardson returned to Libertas Forlì at nearly 43 years old during the 1998-99 season. He managed to rejoin Livorno afterward, but he was waived in February 2000, marking the end of his illustrious career at the age of 45.
Michael Ray Richardson will be remembered for his extraordinary talent and the impact he made on basketball, especially in Italy, where his legacy continues to inspire future generations of players.