Len Bias: Tragedy of a Celtics Hope Cut Short
BOSTON (AP) — Len Bias, a promising young basketball star drafted by the Boston Celtics, tragically died just two days after being drafted in 1986, stunning the sports world.
A rising Star at Maryland
Bias, a 6-foot-8 forward from the University of Maryland, was considered one of the top collage players of the 1980s. In his senior year, he averaged 23.2 points and 7 rebounds, earning All-American honors. His athleticism and potential led some to believe he could become a superstar.
Drafted by the Celtics: High Hopes
The Boston Celtics selected Bias with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft. The Celtics envisioned him as a key player for the future, even as a potential successor to Larry bird as the face of the franchise.
Sudden Death Shocks the NBA
After the exhilarating experience of being drafted on June 17, 1986, Bias traveled to Boston. Though, his life took a tragic turn.Just two days after being drafted, Bias died due to cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose.
Contracts and Expectations
Bias’s draft selection brought immediate financial rewards, including a $700,000 annual salary from the celtics and a $350,000 endorsement deal with Reebok—considerable figures for a 22-year-old at the time.
Len Bias: The Tragic Story of a Rising NBA Star
Len Bias, a supremely talented basketball player drafted by the Boston Celtics, tragically died of cardiac arrhythmia induced by cocaine use just two days after being drafted in 1986. His sudden death shocked the sports world and led to widespread grief.
A Celebratory Night Turns Fatal
After being drafted second overall by the Celtics, Bias returned to his family’s home in Landover, Maryland, and celebrated with friends and teammates at a party on his university campus. Hours later, Bias collapsed and was rushed to Leland Memorial Hospital in Riverdale Park, where doctors pronounced him dead from a heart attack.An autopsy revealed cocaine use, a surprising revelation since he had passed drug tests a week earlier in Boston and also at the request of his university.
Mourning a Lost Talent
Eleven thousand mourners attended Bias’s funeral at the University of Maryland‘s Cole Field House. Reverend Jesse Jackson delivered a eulogy, stating, “Lenny was vulnerable as all of us are vulnerable.He has been used by God to save a generation.” Red Auerbach, the legendary Celtics coach who championed Bias, lamented the loss of a player he believed could have been a future NBA superstar.
Aftermath and Further Tragedy
The aftermath of Bias’s death involved legal ramifications for his friends related to cocaine possession.His father sued the University of Maryland for alleged negligence in the academic support of its athletes. Adding to the family’s tragedy, Len’s younger brother, Jay Bias, was shot and killed four years later at the age of 20 in a still-unexplained shooting at a shopping center. Jay succumbed to his injuries in the same emergency room where Len had died,and was buried in the same cemetery.
Q: How is Len Bias remembered today, and what lasting legacy did he leave despite his short life?
Len Bias: The Tragic Story of a Rising NBA Star – FAQ
The story of Len Bias serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of substance abuse. Remember his legacy and the lessons learned.
