Lexington Police and Fayette County coroner Gary Ginn have confirmed that former U. Kentucky basketball player Melvin Turpin, 49, committed suicide today at his home in the Masterson Station subdivision in Lexington.

Ginn would not provide any further details of the suicide.

Turpin, a Lexington native who attended Bryan Station High School, was working at UK Hospital as security. He played basketball for UK from 1981 to 1984 after transferring from a prep school in Virginia. He was the sixth pick by the Washington Bullets in the 1984 NBA Draft, but was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Turpin retired after five seasons in the NBA.

UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Melvin Turpin. Our hearts and prayers are with his family and friends as they mourn their loss. The University of Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation will forever remember Melvin and all his contributions to our basketball program.”