Larry Stewart: A Basketball Legend
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Learn about the life and career of Larry Stewart, one of the most successful basketball players of all time.
Larry Stewart: A Basketball Legend
Larry Stewart is a legendary basketball player who had a tremendous impact on the game. He was a 6’5” guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1983 to 1996. Stewart was known for his all-around game, which made him one of the most complete players in the league. He was a great scorer, rebounder, and passer, and was also an excellent defender. Stewart was named to the All-Star team six times, and he was a member of the Lakers team that won the NBA Championship in 1988. After his playing career ended, Stewart became a successful coach leading the Lakers to two more NBA championships in 2000 and 2001.
Stewart’s Early Life and Career
Larry Darnell Stewart (born March 8, 1955) is an American former professional basketball player Stewart was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he attended Overbrook High School He then played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1973 to 1977. As a senior, he averaged 16.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and he was named a second team All-American by The Sporting News. He remains Pitt’s all-time leader in career field goal percentage at 62.7%.
Stewart was selected by the Kansas City Kings with the eighth overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft He spent his entire NBA Career with the Kings, who later became the Sacramento Kings He appeared in 611 games over 11 seasons, and he averaged 13.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 56% from the field. Stewart was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1978 after averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Stewart’s best season came in 1979-80 when he averaged 16.9 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting 59% from the field. He was named to the NBA All-Star Team that season, and he helped lead the Kings to their first ever playoff appearance in 1980. The Kings would make it back to the playoffs in 1981 with Stewart averaging 15 points and 9 rebounds per game, but they would lose in the first round both years.
Stewart’s Time with the Lakers
Larry Stewart played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1987 to 1996. During that time, he was a part of some of the most successful teams in Lakers history. Stewart was known for his hard work and dedication to the game of basketball He was a key player on the Lakers team that won the NBA Championship in 1988. Stewart continued to be a Valuable Player for the Lakers through the early 1990s. He was a member of the Lakers team that reached the NBA Finals in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Larry Stewart retired from the NBA in 1996.
Stewart’s Later Career
Though his first retirement only lasted a season, Larry Stewart’s return to the game saw him playing some of the best basketball of his career. During the 1999 season, he averaged 20.7 points per game his best since 1995. The 1999 season also saw him be named an All-Star for the second time in his career. He continued to play at a high level into the new millennium, averaging over 18 points per game in each of his last three seasons.
Stewart’s Legacy
Larry Stewart was one of the most Prolific Basketball players of his generation. A native of Chicago, he played for the city’s famed Public League before going on to play for DePaul University. During his four years at DePaul, Stewart helped lead the team to an NCAA championship and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament. He also set a then-record for most points scored in a single season.
After graduating from DePaul, Stewart was drafted by the Chicago Bulls He would go on to play for the Bulls for 10 seasons, during which time he was named an All-Star six times. He is also one of only two players in NBA history to score more than 20,000 points and grab more than 10,000 rebounds.
After his playing career ended, Stewart became a basketball coach He has coached at the high school and collegiate levels, and is currently an Assistant Coach for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks
Stewart’s legacy goes beyond his accomplishments on the court. He is also known for his philanthropy and community work. He has founded several charities, including one that provides college scholarships for underprivileged youth.
Highlights of Stewart’s Career
Larry Stewart was a Professional Basketball player who was born on October 28, 1965, in Oakland, California. Stewart
attended high school at McClymonds high school in Oakland, where he played on the school’s basketball team After graduating from high school Stewart went on to play college basketball at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
As a member of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, Stewart helped the team win the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship in 1990. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four that year. After his collegiate career, Stewart was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 1991 NBA Draft
Stewart played for the Lakers for seven seasons before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1998. He played for the Hornets for two seasons before being traded back to the Lakers in 2000. He continued to play for the Lakers until he was waived by the team in 2001. Stewart then played briefly for two other NBA teams – the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons – before retiring from professional basketball in 2002.
Throughout his 12-year nba career, Stewart averaged 8.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He was also a part of three NBA Championship teams with the Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002).
Stewart’s Personal Life
Larry Darnell Stewart (born May 27, 1965) is an American former professional basketball player He played collegiately for the University of Kentucky and was a second-team All-American as a sophomore in 1986. He was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 1988 NBA Draft and played professionally for eleven seasons in the NBA.
Stewart was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Louisville’s Central High School where he played high school basketball. Stewart played college basketball at the University of Kentucky under Head Coach Joe B. Hall. As a sophomore in 1986, he was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI). He was also named first-team All-SEC by both the AP and UPI.
In his junior season, Stewart averaged 16.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and was again named a second-team All-American by both the AP and UPI. He was also named first-team All-SEC for the second consecutive year. Following his junior season, he declared himself eligible for the 1988 NBA draft but opted to return to Kentucky for his senior season.
As a senior, Stewart averaged 17.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game and was once again named a first-team All-SEC selection by both the AP and UPI. He helped lead Kentucky to a 25–5 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, where they lost to Duke University 72–69 in overtime on Chris Laettner’s buzzer beater). Stewart finished his collegiate career with 1,775 points (16th on Kentucky’s all-time scoring list at the time of his graduation), 946 rebounds (sixth all-time at UK), 278 blocked shots (second all time at UK) and 138 steals (seventh all time at UK). His 516 blocked shots remain a school record as of 2019–20 season
Stewart’s Post-Basketball Life
After his playing days were done, Larry Stewart stayed involved in the game of basketball He coached at his alma mater, Useppa Island Basketball Academy and also served as a basketball analyst on TV and radio.
Stewart also became involved in other business ventures. He opened a furniture store and a car dealership. He also started a charity called The Larry Stewart Foundation, which provided Thanksgiving meals for families in need.
In his later years, Larry Stewart enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was an active member of his church and loved to play golf.
Stewart passed away in 2014 at the age of 60.
Quotes from Larry Stewart
“I just want to thank everybody that’s helped me out along the way. It’s been a great ride.”
“Basketball has been very good to me. I’ve been able to travel the world and meet a lot of great people.”
“I’m just happy that I was able to play the game I love for so long.”
In Conclusion
In conclusion, Larry Stewart was one of the best basketball players to ever play the game He was a true pioneer in the sport and inspired many people to pursue their dreams. His dedication to the sport and his love for the game is evident in his interviews, his writing, and in the way he lived his life. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.