Larry Johnson (basketball, born 1954) facts for kids

Larry O. Johnson (born November 28, 1954 – died May 1, 2025) was an American basketball player. He was known for his time playing college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. He also had a short career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Buffalo Braves.

Early Life and College Career

Larry Johnson grew up in Morganfield, Kentucky. He played basketball at Union County High School. He was a talented player, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall. His main position was shooting guard.

Playing for the Kentucky Wildcats

From 1973 to 1977, Johnson played for the University of Kentucky Wildcats. He was one of the first African-American players from Union County to join the team. During his senior year, he was named to the All-SEC Third Team.

Johnson helped his team achieve great success. In 1975, the Wildcats were runners-up in the NCAA Tournament. They lost to UCLA in a famous game, which was coach John Wooden's last. The next year, in 1976, Johnson helped the Wildcats win the NIT championship. He scored 16 points in their win against UNC-Charlotte.

Professional Basketball Career

After college, Larry Johnson was chosen in the second round of the 1977 NBA draft. The Buffalo Braves picked him as the 24th overall pick.

Time in the NBA

Johnson played only four games for the Buffalo Braves during the 1977–78 season. He averaged 1.5 points per game in his brief NBA career.

Playing in Japan

After his time in the NBA, Johnson moved to Japan. He played basketball internationally for many years. From 1979 to 1989, he played for Matsushita Denki. This team later became known as the Panasonic Corporation. After he stopped playing, he also became the coach for that same team.

See also

In Spanish: Larry Johnson (baloncestista de 1954) para niños