DETROIT (AP) — The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame has posthumously inducted three-time NBA All-Star Dan Roundfield.
Roundfield drowned earlier this month while helping his wife in rough water off the Caribbean island of Aruba.
The Detroiter attended Central Michigan and played for the Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Bullets. He was among those honored Thursday night at the Gem Theatre in Detroit.
Former Pistons player Rick Mahorn says Roundfield was a great, giving person off the court and a true professional on it.
The other inductees in the 56th Michigan Sports Hall of Fame class were: Chuck Bernard, Bob Chappuis, Barbara Marchetti-DeSchepper, Charlie Primas, Marcel Pronovost, Fred Arbanas, Ed Budde, Richie Jordan, Milt Pappas, Bob Strampe, George Allen, Tom D’Eath, Earl Lloyd, Ted Simmons, Ralph Simpson and Gorge Acker.
Roundfield was apparently swept away in a strong current as he tried to help his struggling wife, Bernie, said John Larmonie, a police spokesman on the southern Caribbean island, according to The AP.
Because of Dan’s  efforts, Bernie Roundfield was helped to safety by an American tourist snorkeling nearby.
“It’s a real tragedy,” Larmonie said. “He drowned saving his wife.”
Emergency rescue teams consisting of the Coast Guard, local police, firefighters and volunteers searched for Dan, finding his body trapped by rocks underwater about 90 minutes later
“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.”