Wendell Ladner facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 6, 1948 Necaise Crossing, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | June 24, 1975 (aged 26) Jamaica, New York, U.S. |
| High school | Hancock North Central (Kiln, Mississippi) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Southern Miss (1967–1970) |
| NBA Draft | 1970 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1970–1975 |
| Career history | |
| 1970–1972 | Memphis Pros |
| 1972 | Carolina Cougars |
| 1972–1973 | Memphis Tams |
| 1973–1974 | Kentucky Colonels |
| 1975 | New York Nets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career ABA statistics | |
| Points | 3,474 (11.6 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 2,481 (8.3 rpg) |
| Assists | 621 (2.1 apg) |
Wendell Larry Ladner (born October 6, 1948 – died June 24, 1975) was an American professional basketball player. He was best known for playing in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1970 to 1975.
Contents
Early Life and Basketball Beginnings
Wendell Ladner was born in Necaise Crossing, Hancock County, Mississippi. He played high school basketball at Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Mississippi. After high school, he went to the University of Southern Mississippi.
College Years
Ladner played college basketball for the Southern Miss team from 1967 to 1970. Even though he wasn't chosen in the 1970 ABA draft, he went on to have a successful professional career.
Wendell Ladner's ABA Career
Wendell Ladner played as a forward for five seasons in the ABA. He played for four different teams, including the Memphis team twice. He was known as a tough player on the court. He often protected his teammates, like Dan Issel of the Kentucky Colonels and Julius Erving of the New York Nets.
Career Highlights
Ladner quickly made a name for himself in the ABA.
- He was named to the ABA All-Rookie Team in 1971.
- He was also chosen for the ABA All-Star Game in his first season.
- On January 24, 1971, he scored his highest number of points in a single game, with 34 points for Memphis.
- He was an All-Star again the next season.
- In 1974, he helped his team, the New York Nets, win the ABA championship.
His Unique Personality
Wendell Ladner was known for his fun and unique personality. His teammate, Julius Erving, once said that Ladner wanted to be like the actor Burt Reynolds while playing basketball. Ladner even posed for a poster wearing only his gym shorts and holding a basketball! This fun side of him was even spoofed in the movie Semi-Pro.
A Sad Ending
Sadly, Wendell Ladner died at the age of 26 on June 24, 1975. He was a passenger on Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, which crashed. He was identified by medical examiners because he was wearing his ABA championship ring. He was the only player in the ABA's history to die while still an active player for one of the league's top teams.
Remembering Wendell
The New York Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets) have honored Wendell Ladner. For a long time, his name and number were listed among their retired numbers. Although his #4 jersey wasn't hung in the arena like other retired numbers, the team's trainer did not give his number to other players for 17 years after his death as a tribute. A road in Perkinston, Mississippi has also been named in his honor.
See also
- List of basketball players who died during their careers
