News Summary
The 50th anniversary of the John R. Wooden Award will honor legendary basketball star Larry Johnson, whose remarkable career includes collegiate championships and NBA accolades. From his early days in Texas to achieving success in the NBA, Johnson’s contributions to the sport continue to be celebrated as the award ceremony approaches.
Los Angeles, California – The 50th anniversary of the celebrated John R. Wooden Award will take place on April 10, 2026. In anticipation of this milestone, the Sporting Tribune, in collaboration with the Wooden Award and the Los Angeles Athletic Club, will spotlight past winners leading up to the ceremony. Among these notable players is Larry Johnson, a legendary basketball star who made history throughout his career.
Larry Demetric Johnson was born on March 14, 1969, in Tyler, Texas. Johnson’s basketball skills emerged early during his time at Skyline High School in Dallas, where he was recognized as a senior consensus All-American and earned the prestigious Mr. Basketball USA honors. Additionally, he was a member of the 1987 McDonald’s High School All-American Team, highlighting his exceptional talent at a young age.
Initially, Johnson aimed to join the Southern Methodist Mustangs but was compelled to attend Odessa College due to a dispute over his SAT score. At Odessa, he played during the 1987-88 and 1988-89 seasons, impressively averaging 22.3 points per game during his freshman year and exceeding 29 points per game as a sophomore. His achievements led him to become the first player ever to win the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Player of the Year award twice. Had he chosen to declare for the NBA Draft in 1989, he might have been a first-round pick.
Johnson transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) for the 1990-1992 seasons, under the guidance of head coach Jerry Tarkanian. As team captain, he played alongside future NBA stars Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon, contributing significantly to the Runnin’ Rebels’ brand. In 1990, Johnson led UNLV to the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament championship, defeating Duke 103–73, where he delivered an impressive performance with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Despite UNLV’s success, the following season was marred by recruiting violations, yet they finished the regular season undefeated at 27-0. However, the Rebels suffered a setback in the Final Four against Duke, although Johnson’s outstanding abilities earned him a First Team All-American selection and player of the year honors. In 1991, he was awarded the John R. Wooden Award as well as the Naismith College Player of the Year accolades.
After leaving college, Johnson returned to UNLV and completed his Bachelor’s of Arts degree in social science studies in 2007, 16 years after entering the NBA. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, selected by the Charlotte Hornets, and was named NBA Rookie of the Year during his debut season. His second season saw him become the first player from the Hornets to start in an All-Star Game.
In 1993, Johnson further distinguished himself by signing a then-record 12-year, $84 million contract with the Hornets, although back injuries sidelined him for 31 games that season. Johnson was also a member of the USA National Team (Dream Team II) during the 1994 FIBA World Championships, contributing to a gold medal victory.
After five seasons with the Hornets, he was traded to the New York Knicks in the 1995-96 season. Despite battling injuries in New York, Johnson played a critical role during the Knicks’ NBA Finals run in 1999. He officially retired from the NBA in October 2001.
Post-retirement, Johnson found success in acting, appearing in television shows and films including roles in Family Matters and Space Jam. His persona as “Grandmama” in Converse commercials became famous for its lighthearted slogan regarding the basketball shoes.
In 2015, Johnson filed for bankruptcy, reporting $300,000 in debts, but successfully emerged from bankruptcy in January 2016, with a reported $7,500 in assets. Currently, he works for the Knicks as a Basketball and Business Operations Representative, continuing his commitment to the sport and the community.
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Additional Resources
- The Sporting Tribune: Wooden Award Flashback
- Wikipedia: Larry Johnson
- On3: Former Kentucky MBB Player Larry Johnson Dies
- Google Search: Larry Johnson
- New York Post: Postseason Hero Larry Johnson
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Larry Johnson
- Talksport: NBA Larry Johnson
- Google News: Larry Johnson Basketball
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