LOS ANGELES - 1990: Charles Shackleford #33 of the New Jersey Nets stands on the court during an NBA game in 1990. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice : Copyright 1990 NBAE. (Photo by Ken Levine /Getty Images)

Former NBA, college star found dead in North Carolina

This is awfully sad.

According to both WNCT in Greenville and TMZ, former N.C. State center and NBA player Charles Shackleford was found dead on Friday morning in North Carolina.

From WNCT:

Kinston police said Shackleford was found deceased at 2106 Rouse Road in Kinston Friday morning.

Officers said the cause of death has not been determined, and the incident is still under investigation.

Shackleford was a star at N.C. State for three seasons, averaging 16.6 points (53-percent shooting) and 9.6 rebounds per game in his final season at the school before turning pro in 1988. Shackleford was taken by the Nets with a second round pick that year, and he played six total seasons in the NBA with New Jersey, Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Charlotte.

Shackleford experienced some legal troubles in his days, being arrested for multiple drug incidents both during and after his career. The latest was in 2010 when he was arrested trying to sell drugs to an officer in a sting operation.