Larry Johnson

Date of Birth: March 14, 1969

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Larry Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player who enjoyed a successful career in the NBA during the 1990s. Born in Tyler, Texas, Johnson first garnered national attention as a standout college player at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He led the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA Championship in 1990 and won the Naismith College Player of the Year Award in 1991. Johnson was the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, selected by the Charlotte Hornets. Known for his powerful style of play and charismatic personality, he was quickly dubbed “Grandmama” due to a popular Converse sneaker commercial. Johnson was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1992 and became a two-time NBA All-Star. After several successful seasons with the Hornets, Johnson was traded to the New York Knicks, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s run to the 1999 NBA Finals. Plagued by back injuries, Johnson retired in 2001 but remains a beloved figure in the basketball community.

5 Interesting Facts about Larry Johnson

1. Larry Johnson was the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.

2. He helped lead UNLV to an NCAA Championship in 1990.

3. Johnson was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1992.

4. His nickname “Grandmama” comes from a popular Converse sneaker commercial.

5. Johnson played a key role in the New York Knicks’ run to the 1999 NBA Finals.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Larry Johnson

1. “I just try to play hard every night. That’s what I owe my teammates and the fans.”

2. “You can’t measure heart with a ruler.”

3. “Basketball is a team game. But that doesn’t mean all five players take the same shots.”

4. “Every day I feel blessed. I feel grateful to be here.”

5. “Hard work pays off. It’s not always in the way you expect, but it does.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Larry Johnson’s net worth was estimated to be around $28 million.

Children

Larry Johnson has five children: two sons, Larry Johnson Jr. and Lance Johnson, and three daughters, Leslie Johnson, Tiffany Johnson, and Asia Johnson.