Lamont “Tip Dog” Thornton, a Harlem native and legendary basketball player, passed away after being stabbed by his son inside their Washington Heights, NYCHA apartment.
According to reports, the 58-year-old Lamont “Tip Dog” Thornton, known for his remarkable hooping skills at Rucker Park in the 1980s, died from his injuries nearly two weeks after the attack.
NYPD said that the incident occurred around 11:45 p.m. on July 20, 2025, inside the family’s eighth-floor apartment at the Rangel Houses, located on Harlem River Drive near Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
Lamont “Tip Dog” Thornton’s 24-year-old son, Lamont Oliphant, allegedly stabbed him once in the neck, hitting a main artery.
Thornton reportedly fled the apartment after being wounded, leaving a trail of blood through the hallway, down the elevator, and across the lobby before collapsing on the sidewalk outside.
First responders found him unconscious and rushed him to Harlem Hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent hours of emergency surgery.
Despite the doctor’s efforts, Thornton passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025.
The untimely passing of Tip Dog has left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and loved ones.
He touched the lives of many with his amazing basketball skills. Thornton’s basketball career began at Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem before he became a star at Rucker Park.
Thornton continued his basketball journey playing for Jacksonville Baptist College and later playing from 1987 to 1989 as point guard for the University of New Orleans.
Although Lamont Thornton didn’t play professionally, he continued to guide and support several youth athletes.
Lamont “Tip Dog” Thornton’s Son Has Been Charged With Second-Degree Murder
Lamont “Tip Dog” Thornton’s son, Lamont Oliphant, who stabbed him, was initially charged with attempted murder.
However, after Thornton’s death, prosecutors upgraded the charges to second-degree murder during his Manhattan Supreme Court arraignment on August 5, 2025.
He is currently being held without bail. Authorities say this is Oliphant’s first arrest in New York.
According to prosecutors, Oliphant was arrested about 90 minutes after the stabbing when he approached officers outside the building, asking for help getting back into his apartment.
He allegedly had a knife in his hand, dried blood on his leg, and then gave police his apartment number, leading them back to the scene where the blood trail began.
Lamont Thornton instilled love and passion for basketball in his son and guided him in his basketball journey.
In a 2012 video interview, Tip Dog introduced his then 12-year-old son, calling him “Lil Tip,” and spoke passionately about mentoring kids.
“If you ever played basketball, you have to give back to the kids, Back in the day, guys gave back to me, so I’m trying to do the same thing.”
The news of Tip Dog being stabbed by his son devastated the Harlem community. Hundreds gathered at Fred Samuel Playground on Lenox Avenue for a balloon release vigil on August 4, 2025.
Dressed in white, mourners spelled out “Tip Dog” in candles and chanted his nickname.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Over his career with New Orleans, late Lamont “Tip Dog” Thornton appeared in 54 games, averaging 3.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
- He is survived by his brothers Mike Boogie Thornton and Michael Thornton, and the whole family.
- His family has yet to provide details regarding the funeral and memorial services.
