Breaking News

Dean "The Dream" Meminger -- who helped the NY Knicks clinch the 1973 NBA title -- was found dead in his hotel room Friday ... wearing his championship ring.

Meminger was found unconscious inside his NYC hotel room by staff members after failing to check out. He was pronounced dead on the scene. There were no signs of trauma. A witness reportedly saw "white stuff" oozing out of his nose.

Meminger had long suffered from drug addiction, including cocaine, even in his pro-basketball days. He almost died in a rooming house fire where he was allegedly smoking crack back in 2009.

The 65-year-old was a first round draft pick back in 1971.