Ex-NBA star Dan Roundfield drowns in Aruba
Dan Roundfield, an NBA veteran who had three consecutive All-Star seasons, has drowned off the Caribbean island of Aruba while helping his wife as she struggled in rough water. He was 59.
Roundfield, who played 12 professional seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and Washington Bullets, had been swimming with his wife, Bernie, off the southeastern tip of Aruba on Monday when they became caught in rough water beyond a protected reef area, said John Larmonie, a police spokesman on the southern Caribbean island.
The former All Star was apparently swept away in a strong current as he tried to help his struggling wife, Larmonie said. Police, firefighters, the Coast Guard and volunteers searched for him, finding his body about 90 minutes later, trapped by rocks underwater.
“It’s a real tragedy,” Larmonie said. “He drowned saving his wife.”
Bernie Roundfield, who said she was helped to safety by a U.S. tourist snorkeling nearby, said in an interview that the couple, who live in the Atlanta area, had come to the island with their two grandchildren.
The couple had visited Aruba nearly 20 times and were caught off guard by the strong currents at the swimming area known as “Baby Beach,” even though they had been there many times in the past, she said.
“We always go to Baby Beach, and we go there because it’s so safe,” she told The Associated Press. “It happened so fast.”
Bernie Roundfield was treated for shock after the incident and Larmonie said the government had provided a social worker to assist her and other family members as they remained on the island Tuesday.
Julia Roundfield, a sister-in-law of the athlete, who lives in Detroit, said members of the former athlete’s extended family were still trying to get details of the incident.
“He was a real sweet guy,” Julia Roundfield said. “He really was a sweetheart.”
His wife said he will be remembered as a family man.
“People knew he was a great husband, a great dad, a great grandfather,” Bernie Roundfield said. “They knew he would help his friends or any other person who needed help.”
A 6-foot-8 forward-center out of Detroit, Roundfield played for Central Michigan in college and started his pro career with Indiana, which was then in the ABA. He played 11 professional seasons. Besides the Pacers, he had stints with Atlanta, Detroit and Washington and averaged 15.2 point per game for his NBA career.
Roundfield was selected as an All-Star in 1980, 1981 and 1982, when he was playing for the Hawks.
Friends and colleagues mourned an athlete that they said was known for physical play but a gentle nature. “Danny represented the Hawks with dignity and pride both on and off the court, and this is a tragic loss for us all,” team General Manager Danny Ferry said in a statement.
Former teammates include: Billy Knight, Don Buse, Mike Bantom, Ricky Sobers, John Williamson, James Edwards, Darnell Hillman, Tree Rollins, John Drew, “Fast Eddie” Johnson, Rory Sparrow, Dominique Wilkins, Scott Hastings, John Long, Vinnie Johnson, Bill Laimbeer, Earl Cureton, Terry Teagle, Isiah Thomas, Kelly Tripucka, Terry Tyler, Manute Bol, Jeff Ruland, Cliff Robinson, Jeff Malone, Gus Williams, Frank Johnson, Charles Jones, Jay Vincent, Moses Malone and Michael Adams,
He was coached by Bobby Slick Leonard, Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, Kevin Loughery, Chuck Daly and Gene Shue.
Roundfield spent 12 seasons in the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association, playing for the Indiana Pacers (1975–1978), Atlanta Hawks (1978–1984), Detroit Pistons (1984–1985), and Washington Bullets (1985–1987). Then he moved to Turin, Italy, and played a season for Auxilium Torino.
Roundfield earned a reputation as a strong rebounder and tenacious defender, and during his career he was named to five NBA All-Defensive teams and three All-Star teams. His nickname was Dr. Rounds.
Roundfield was selected to the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team in three consecutive seasons from 1980 to 1982. He was unable to play in 1982, though, due to an injury. He made the most of his 1980 All-Star appearance debut, scoring 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in 27 minutes coming off the bench. He came close to winning the game's MVP award for his fine performance being overshadowed by fellow Detroit product George Gervin's 34-point output.
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