Leonard Kevin Bias, 22, of Greater Landover, Maryland, passed on June 19, 1986. He was born to James Bias and Lonise Bias on November 16, 1963.

Leonard graduated from Northwestern High School in 1981 and received a degree from the University of Maryland in 1986. Leonard was an American college basketball player who attended the University of Maryland. During his four years playing for Maryland, he was named a first-team All-American. Bias was drafted No. 2 overall in the 1986 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

Len Bias attended the University of Maryland for four years and was a four-year starter. He averaged 16.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during his career. For his career, he shot 54 percent from the field and improved year after year. His junior year is when he started to seperate from the rest. Leonard averaged 18.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. That year, he was named ACC Player of the Year, first team all-ACC, and second team All-American. As predicted, he improved his overall play on the court during his senior year. He averaged 23 points and 7 rebounds per game. He made 54 percent of his shots from the field and 86 percent of his free throws.

Leonard was set on being a top draft pick for the 1986 NBA draft, some even predicting him to be better then Michael Jordan. Walt Williams, an NBA great, believes Len Bias, was a better player than Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan of North Carolina and Len Bias of Maryland faced battle on the basketball court in the 1980s. After that, MJ and Bias both joined the NBA in 1984 and 1986, respectively.

Bias was picked No. 2 overall by the Boston Celtics in the NBA draft in 1986, but he died of a cocaine overdose two days later. The athlete was using cocaine in his dorm at the University of Maryland with a handful of his friends when he fainted, had a seizure, and went into cardiac arrhythmia. He was transported to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
The 22-year-old Bias “was a very healthy individual” who showed no evidence of heart disease. The autopsy revealed that the drug taken by Bias was unadulterated, indicating that he had obtained “dealer-level quality” cocaine. A plastic bag containing approximately 12 grams of cocaine was found in Bias’ leased Nissan 300ZX, and police found cut straws used for snorting cocaine, some cocaine crystals, a cognac bottle and several beer bottles in a trash bin outside the dormitory. Bias’ died last directly to cocaine, which interrupted the normal electrical control of his heartbeat, resulting in the sudden onset of seizures and cardiac arrest. He was 22 years old at the time.

What a joy to know Len is now fulfilling his NBA dreams in heaven. Thanks for everything good and faithful servent.

A celebration of life will be held at the University of Maryland on July 3rd 1986. Following the service will be a gathering outside of campus to share memories. 7950 Baltimore Avenue College Park, MD 20742 United States