Earl Monroe
A CHAMPION PASSES: Dean Meminger (right), a member of the Knicks’ 1973 championship team, was found dead yesterday, with former teammate Earl Monroe saying he was “devastated by the fact he’s passed.” (
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Earl Monroe was in tears yesterday upon hearing his former Knicks roommate and backcourt mate, Dean Meminger, was found dead in a Harlem hotel, possibly of a drug overdose.
Monroe and Meminger were teammates on the 1973 championship team and became best friends. Monroe is godfather to Meminger’s daughter, Maisha.
“I’m devastated by the fact he’s passed,’’ Monroe told The Post yesterday. “His daughter called me. I’m her godfather, which is indicative of how close we had gotten and remained over the years. I’m kind of devastated. I’m not feeling great. This made me feel even worse.’’
Meminger, 65, paid Monroe a two-hour visit last week at Mount Sinai Hospital, where Monroe was recovering from a painful infection/blood clot that stemmed from knee surgery. They were together April 5 at the Garden when the Knicks honored the 40th anniversary of their most recent title.
“At least I’ll be up tomorrow,’’ Monroe said. “That’s not what I can say about my friend Dean.’’
Despite his condition, Monroe hopes to make it to Meminger’s funeral. Monroe said Meminger, who was living in Baltimore, was in Harlem receiving a community award.
“This comes at a time he just found out his daughter is pregnant, expecting their first baby,’’ Monroe said. “He was looking forward to that.’’
Sources have told The Post the death may be related to a cocaine overdose.
“I don’t know about that,’’ Monroe said. “I thought he was removed from that. He even joked about it [last week]. He looked good when I saw him. We had a great time together. He cheered me up immensely, laughing, joking, reminiscing, having a great time.”
When Monroe was traded to the Knicks, Meminger, the backup point guard known as “The Dream,” became his closest teammate. Meminger, a 1971 first-round pick out of Marquette, played three seasons with the Knicks then returned for the 1976-77 season.
“We kind of gravitated toward each other,’’ Monroe said. “He was kind of the coach’s coach. That’s what he was on the floor. That’s what most guys thought about him. He had a great understanding of the game and was just a good guy to be around.”
Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said in a statement, “Everyone at the Knicks organization is saddened to hear the news of Dean Meminger’s passing. From the day he was drafted by this franchise in 1971, Dean was a friend and close family member of this team. On April 5, 2013, the 1973 World Championship team was honored at Madison Square Garden on it’s 40th anniversary – there was no one prouder than Dean to be back on the court with his teammates. We send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Meminger family.”
Sources told The Post Meminger’s 1973 championship ring was on his hand when his body was found. Monroe said it was a replica. Meminger previously had fallen on hard times, escaping death in a 2009 fire in The Bronx in an incident that involved crack.
“I’m quite sure he had lost the ring,’’ Monroe said. “They got a replica, redid it for him. He was quite proud of that. He wore it with pride.’’