Larry Nance facts for kids
Nance with the Phoenix Suns in 1987
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1959 Anderson, South Carolina, U.S. |
| High school | McDuffie (Anderson, South Carolina) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Clemson (1977–1981) |
| NBA Draft | 1981 / Round: 1 / Pick: 20th overall |
| Selected by the Phoenix Suns | |
| Pro career | 1981–1994 |
| Career history | |
| 1981–1988 | Phoenix Suns |
| 1988–1994 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 15,687 (17.1 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 7,067 (8.0 rpg) |
| Blocks | 2,027 (2.2 bpg) |
Larry Donnell Nance Sr. (born February 12, 1959) is a former American professional basketball player. He played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Larry Nance was known for his amazing dunks and strong defense. He was also a three-time NBA All-Star.
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Early Basketball Days
Larry Nance played college basketball for the Clemson Tigers. In his junior year, his team made it to the "Elite Eight" in the NCAA tournament. This is a big achievement in college basketball.
Becoming an NBA Star
Larry Nance played in the NBA from 1981 to 1994. He played for two teams: the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was a very consistent player. This means he played well almost every game.
Phoenix Suns: The First Slam Dunk King
Larry Nance started his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns. He is famous for being the very first winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. This happened in 1984. His amazing dunks earned him the fun nickname "The High-Ayatolla of Slamola."
During his time with the Suns, Larry Nance was a top scorer. He averaged over 16 points and 8 rebounds per game. His best scoring year was in the 1986–1987 season. He averaged 22.5 points per game that year. He was good at shooting from mid-range and playing close to the basket.
In 1988, Larry Nance was traded from the Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This trade involved several players and draft picks.
Cleveland Cavaliers: A Key Player
Joining the Cleveland Cavaliers was a great move for Larry Nance. He became a very important player for the team. He helped the Cavaliers become a strong team in the Eastern Conference. He played alongside another great player, Brad Daugherty.
Nance was an NBA All-Star three times: in 1985, 1989, and 1993. He was also known for his defense. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1989. He was also on the Second Team in 1992 and 1993.
Larry Nance was also one of the best shot blockers in the league. He averaged 2.2 blocks per game during his career. When he retired, he held a record for blocks. He had the most blocked shots by any player who was not a center.
Larry Nance retired from basketball in 1994. He had a knee injury that needed surgery. His jersey number, 22, was retired by the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is a special honor for a player.
Life After Basketball
Larry Nance has a family of basketball players! His son, Larry Nance Jr., also played college basketball for Wyoming. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. Later, Larry Nance Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His dad, Larry Nance Sr., even let him wear his retired number 22 jersey.
Larry Nance's daughter, Casey Nance, played college basketball for Dayton. Another son, Pete Nance, played college basketball for Northwestern and North Carolina. Pete also joined the Cavaliers in 2024. This makes him the third Nance family member to play for the Cavaliers.
Larry Nance also enjoys car racing. He owns a 1967 "Catch 22" Camaro drag racer. His team races it on weekends.
See also
In Spanish: Larry Nance para niños
- List of NBA career blocks leaders
- List of NBA career field goal percentage leaders
- List of NBA single-game blocks leaders
