Last night’s news of Mel Turpin’s suicide coincided with Lebron’s one-hour special, but word of Turpin’s demise was much more profound. I thought someone made a terrible joke on Twitter and it saddened me to confirm this terrible news. He was killed from what appeared to be a self inflicted gunshot wound.

Turpin dunking

Turpin was a 1984 first round draft pick, but didn’t care too much for the game as a kid. Despite his 6-foot-5 stature while still in grade school, he was mechanical with poor coordination, yet even after reaching high school he remained unmotivated.

Bobby Barlow was the head coach at Bryan Station High School. He cut Turpin in his sophomore year citing lack of passion to improve. To make matters worse Turpin wasn’t a model student. It was a challenge for his mother, Louise, to get him to attend school on a regular basis, but things changed after he was discovered by Melvin Cunningham, a local advisor who worked with the raw youngster daily while providing positive reinforcement.

Turpin was still raw in his junior year, but greatly improved. Once again, he went out for the Bryan Station team and earn a spot. As a senior Turpin received a scholarship offer from Kentucky, but old academic habits detoured him to prep powerhouse Fork Union Military Academy. While Turpin improved his stock, Kentucky gained a commitment from Sam Bowie, one of the nation’s most sought after prospects. Turpin did well at Fork Union, averaging 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks per game, but he was unsure if he should re-open his recruitment. The thought of sharing the floor with another center was unheard of at the time, yet his desire to play for his dream school was strong enough to wipe away any doubts.

As back-up to Bowie, Turpin’s first year proved solid, but opportunities were limited as Bowie dominated. Unfortunately, Bowie suffered leg injuries that sidelined him for 2 years. It was during this time that Turpin’s power game down low proved fruitful for Kentucky. He earned All-SEC nominations and started to get serious All-American considerations. Turpin had a great deal to offer with his 15-foot jumper and strong finishing skills in the post.

Off the court, warning signs that would plague him in the pros began to surface. People close to the situation say that in today’s world, Turpin would have been diagnosed with an eating disorder. In 1984 a prognosis related to overeating was virtually unheard of.

Former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall’s solution was to assign a group to monitor Turpin’s food intake at night. The “Pizza Police”, as they were known around campus, did a great job of keeping Turpin’s fluctuating weight around 240. In his senior year he teamed with Sam Bowie to form the Twin Towers where he earned numerous 2nd team and 3rd team All-American selections while leading Kentucky to a Final Four appearance.

After Turpin was drafted he struggled physically, often finding himself 40 pounds overweight compared to his college days. Three NBA teams in five years confirmed this struggle. After Turpin’s playing career wrapped up he found work as a security guard at a local factory and then for a medical center. He is survived by his wife, Jerry, and his son, Kiel Turpin, who is currently one of the nation’s top junior college centers.

The Draft Review remembers Mel Turpin.