Titan Hall of Famer and two-time NBA champion Earl Cureton has long been a fixture on Detroit Mercy men’s basketball broadcasts as a color analyst.
Cureton, a Detroit native and graduate of Finney High School, played his final two years collegiately at the University, leading the Titans to a 36-19 record in two seasons, headlined by a NCAA Tournament appearance during the 1978-1979 campaign.
In addition to his broadcasting duties, Cureton serves as the Detroit Pistons’ community ambassador, where he works to raise awareness for Come Together programs and NBA League-sponsored programs.
Before assuming his role with the Pistons, Cureton spent several years coaching in the WNBA, United States Basketball League and Continental Basketball Association.
Drafted by Philadelphia with the 58th pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, Cureton began his professional career in the 1980-1981 season. The 76ers advanced to the NBA Finals during his rookie season, and broke through the following year to win the 1983 Championship. Nicknamed “The Twirl,” Cureton won his second NBA Championship with the Houston Rockets during the 1993-1994 season.
In all, the 12-year NBA veteran played for seven playoff teams, including three years in the mid-1980s with his hometown Pistons. He averaged 5.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game over the course of 674 regular-season contests.
Cureton began his collegiate career at Robert Morris, before returning home to suit up for U-D. After sitting out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, he led the Titans to a combined 36 wins over the course of his final two seasons.
Cureton averaged 20.0 points and 9.1 rebounds as a senior, leading the Titans in both departments. He is ninth all-time in school history in career blocks with 79, and was inducted into the Titans Hall of Fame in 2007.
Fulfilling a promise he made to his mother, Cureton returned to Detroit Mercy to earn his college degree, 30 years after his Titans playing career had ended, in 2011.
