| College: Larry
started his college career at Odessa College in
Odessa, Texas. In his first year at Odessa College, Johnson
averaged 22.3 points per game and 12.3 rebounds per game.
With these stats Johnson was named JUCO Player of the
Year as a freshman. In his second year with the Odessa
Wranglers, Johnson once again put up some unbelievable
numbers averaging 29.8 points per game and 10.9 rebounds
a game. With these numbers once again Larry was named
JUCO Player of the Year this time as a sophomore. After
Odessa College, Johnson transferred to UNLV, where he
would once again shine for the Runnin’ Rebels.
In his two seasons at UNLV Larry would average 21.6 points
per game and 11.2 rebounds per game while shooting nearly
65% from the field. In his senior season at UNLV, Johnson
was name The Sporting News College Player of the Year.
Larry was also the winner of the Naismith Award and the
Wooden Award. Larry was also consensus first-team All
American in both of his seasons at UNLV. As a junior
Larry helped UNLV in winning the NCAA National Championship,
and then as a senior leading the Runnin’ Rebels
back to the NCAA Final Four.
Pro
Career: Larry was the number one
pick in the NBA Draft in 1991 for the Charlotte Hornets.
In his first year with the Hornets, Larry was named
NBA Rookie of the Year and also name to the Leagues
All-Rookie First Team. Larry played in Charlotte
for five seasons helping them to make the playoffs
in two of those seasons. Larry started his 6th season
in the league with a new team. During the summer
of his 5th season he was traded to the New York Knicks,
where he would eventually complete his career. Larry
played in New York for the next four years and helped
the Knicks to the playoffs in each of those four
years. Larry finished his career in New York after
9 great years in the league. Larry’s career
point per game average was 16.8(scoring over 10,000
points in his NBA career) and had a career average
in rebounds of 7.7 per game. Johnson also had over
400 steals in his nine-year career. Johnson made
his mark in Charlotte being their all-time leader
in rebounds, 2nd on the list in points and 2nd in
assists.
Fun
Facts: Here are just some things
about Larry that you might not have known. Larry
wore number 2 on his jersey in honor of his college
coach Jerry Tarkanian. Larry donated a million dollars
for a 14,260 square foot rec center to be built near
the site of a Dallas housing project. Larry was also
heavily involved in Make-A-Wish Foundation. While
in Charlotte, Johnson donated $180,00 to United-Way
so that they could make their annual goal. Finally,
voted by his high school class as the “Most
Likely to Succeed”.
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