Larry Wilson (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Raceland, Louisiana, U.S. |
| High school | Central Lafourche (Mathews, Louisiana) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Nicholls (1975–1979) |
| NBA Draft | 1979 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38th overall |
| Selected by the Atlanta Hawks | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Larry Wilson is an American former basketball player. He was born in Raceland, Louisiana. Larry went to Central Lafourche High School in nearby Mathews. Even though he first wanted to play football, his height made coaches encourage him to play basketball instead.
Larry became a big star at Central Lafourche High. In his last two years, he scored an amazing 30 points per game. In 1975, his senior year, he was named Louisiana's Most Valuable Player. Many coaches from top colleges came to watch his games. Larry was one of the most wanted young players in the country. He received about 250 offers for sports scholarships!
College Basketball Journey
After high school, Larry first decided to play for the LSU Tigers. But a few weeks later, he changed his mind. He chose to play for the Nicholls Colonels. This was a Division II school, which means it was a smaller college sports program. Larry liked the head coach, Don Landry, and wanted to play close to his family.
At Nicholls, Larry was an incredible player. He led the Gulf South Conference in scoring for four years in a row! He was also named the conference's Player of the Year twice. Larry holds the record for the most points ever scored for the Colonels basketball team. He is also fourth in total rebounds for the program.
A Dream Cut Short
In 1979, Larry Wilson was picked by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1979 NBA draft. He was the 38th player chosen overall. This was a huge step towards playing professional basketball.
However, during a team practice, Larry had a very bad accident. He slipped on a wet spot on the court. This caused him to stretch every major ligament in his knee. Because of this serious injury, Larry could not play basketball at his best anymore. He retired in 1980 without playing any professional games.
Life After Basketball
After his basketball career ended, Larry returned to his hometown of Raceland. He started working at Bollinger Shipyards. Larry also spent time coaching youth basketball, sharing his love for the game with younger players.
In 2010, Larry Wilson was honored for his amazing basketball achievements. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. This recognized his incredible talent and impact on Louisiana basketball.
