Melvin Turpin, left, appeared with former coach Joe B. Hall at a Kentucky function in 2003. (David Stephenson/Lexington Herald-Leader/AP)

Former Kentucky basketball star Melvin Turpin died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a coroner's report.

The report Friday gave no other information about the investigation, including whether Turpin left a suicide note.

Police and the coroner were called to his North Lexington, Ky., house Thursday afternoon on a personal injury call.

Margaret Burrus, his sister, tearfully told reporters outside her home that her brother was diabetic and trying to keep it under control.

"I didn't know he was depressed or anything," she said. "I would have never said that he would have done this."

Turpin was the youngest sibling among six, Burrus said. Just two are still living.

"We had a big family and it's now whittling away," she said.

Burrus said Turpin's wife had a heart condition and authorities said she was not at home at the time of the death.

Neighbor Amanda McFadden said Turpin always seemed happy.

"He never looked upset. He kept a smile on his face, just a good person," she said.

The 6-foot-11 Turpin, dubbed "The Big Dipper," was an All-Southeastern Conference player for the Wildcats from 1980-84. He led Kentucky to the SEC championship and a Final Four appearance in 1984.

Turpin and seven-foot Sam Bowie were dubbed "The Twin Towers", and the '84 team also included freshman Kenny Walker, who went on to an NBA career.

He averaged a career-high 15.2 points per game in 1983-84 and shot 74.5 percent from the field.

Mitch Barnhart, Kentucky athletics director, said school supporters "will forever remember Melvin and all his contributions to our basketball program."

Current coach John Calipari expressed his sympathy to Turpin's family and said he is praying "for their strength during this time of grief."

Turpin was the sixth player selected in the 1984 NBA draft, ahead of the likes of John Stockton, Alvin Robertson and Otis Thorpe.

Turpin was picked by the Washington Bullets, then traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His best season was 1985-86 when he averaged 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, but he was out of the league four years later.

Bowie was picked second and also couldn't match the pro exploits of some players picked behind him, a list that included Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.