Mel Turpin was a former NBA player and All-American Kentucky center, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2010. He was 49 years old. He had a promising career in basketball, but struggled with his weight and personal issues. He was considered one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history.
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A Phenomenal Player at Kentucky
Mel Turpin was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on December 28, 1960. He attended Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, where he was voted the number one player in the state for varsity basketball. He averaged 19 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots, and was inducted into the Fork Union Military Academy Hall of Fame in 2000.
He then joined the University of Kentucky, where he became a star player under coach Joe B. Hall. He made the 1st Team All-SEC for 1982 and 1983, and was a consensus second-team All-American in 1984. He led the Wildcats to the Final Four in 1983-84, and was the Southeastern Conference scoring leader in 1984. He also set several records in the SEC tournament, such as the most field goals made and the most points scored in a single game. He scored 42 points against Tennessee as a junior, and 36 points against LSU as a senior.
A Disappointing Career in the NBA
Mel Turpin was selected as the sixth overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft by the Washington Bullets, but was immediately traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was part of a draft class that included future legends such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton. However, he failed to live up to the expectations, and was soon overshadowed by his peers.
He played five seasons in the NBA, with the Cavaliers, the Utah Jazz, and the Washington Bullets. He averaged 8 points and 5 rebounds per game, but was plagued by weight problems and inconsistent performance. He earned the nicknames “Dinner Bell Mel” and “The Mealman”, and was often booed by the fans. He was traded several times, and eventually left the NBA in 1990. He also played briefly in Spain, with CAI Zaragoza, before retiring from basketball.
A Tragic End to a Troubled Life
Mel Turpin’s life after basketball was marked by personal and financial difficulties. He divorced his wife, had several run-ins with the law, and faced foreclosure on his house. He also suffered from depression and low self-esteem, and was reportedly unhappy with his appearance and his legacy.
On July 8, 2010, Mel Turpin committed suicide by shooting himself in his home in Lexington, Kentucky. He was found by his maid, clutching a photograph of his former coach, Joe B. Hall. He was buried next to his parents at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Lexington.
Mel Turpin cause of death was a sad conclusion to a life that had so much potential. He was remembered by his former teammates, coaches, and fans as a talented, kind, and gentle person, who had a great sense of humor and a bright smile. He was survived by his daughter, Melony Turpin, and his brother, James Turpin.
