He is also known for his clutch performances in college, most notably the jumper he scored against Kentucky in the regional final. It has been almost 30 years since Duke standout Christian Laettner was picked over to Isiah Thomas to represent America in the Olympics with the 1992 Dream Team. The highlight of his buzzer-beating shot to beat Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional final remains an annual staple of NCAA . Christian Laettner played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1992 to 2005. Americas Olympic team had lost to the Soviet Union in 1988. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Throughout the game, he was visibly in pain but even at 50 percent capacity, Pippen was still better than any player the Bulls could replace him with. The combined 370 points scored in the Pistons 186-184 triple-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 13, 1983, has to be pretty high on the list. With his follow-through in perfect form, number 23 scored his 45th point of the ballgame to give them an 87-86 lead. Laettner left the NBA in 2005. Christian Laettner is 6-11 (211 cm) tall. He averaged 12.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game over his NBA career. He played 23 out of 24 possible NCAA games during his 4-year tenure, winning 21 of them. Every March Madness montage features his 15-foot turnaround jumper that capped off a historic game in NCAA Tournament history. That didnt stop them from wanting to kill you in the game that night, he said. But an objective look at a player whom fans loved to hate says he should be. In his career, Laettner had 14 assists in a game four times. Laettner, 47, led Duke to national championships in 1991 and '92. The Shot: Duke and Christian Laettner beat Kentucky That, his college success, and his clutch shots, led one basketball writer to dub him one of the two luckiest people to ever live, along with Ringo Starr.. Jay Williams, the former Duke sensation, won a national championship with the Blue Devils in 2001 and was a two-time player of the year. Laettner finished with 31 points and 7 rebounds, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from both the field and charity stripe.. CBS' Verne Lundquist delivered the all-time call. He is best known for his time with the Duke Blue Devils, where he won two national championships and was a part of the famed "Fab Five" recruiting class of 1991. Michael Jordan had to take over. In the clinching Game 5 win, Jordan had 38 points, 19 rebounds, and 7 assists. Christian Laettner/Image: usatodayhss.com . If I took 20 shots in the whole tournament, no one acted like (it wasnt his place). Related Read: What is christian life program? Jordan shot 9-of-25 from the field but wound up with 28 points on hustle plays. Mar 28, 2019. The 15 greatest buzzer-beaters in NCAA tournament history He continued to be a productive player for the Timberwolves over the next few seasons, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. Laettner scored at least 18 points in all six of Duke's NCAA tournament games in 1991, including 28 against UNLV in the Final Four. Finally, Laettner was known to be arrogant and aloof, which rubbed some people the wrong way. He owns the second-most career points in NBA history with 36,928. Arguments for induction: '", Former president Richard Nixon, after Laettner missed a one-and-one, trailing Arizona by two, with one second left: "I know you feel badly, young man. While he did last 13 years in the league and did make an All-Star team, he only averaged 12.8 points per game in his career and never averaged more than 8.8 rebounds per game. He scored 31 points in the game the most of his NCAA tournament career on 10-of-10 shooting from the field and 10-of-10 free-throw shooting. Laettner scored a then-career-high 24 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while leading Duke in rebounding with nine boards, plus dishing out four assists, in an NCAA tournament win against No. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. He was also a very good rebounder, and was often able to tip in missed shots or grab offensive rebounds and put them back in for easy baskets. PAYTON'S PLACE:These are Payton Pritchard's 5 favorite games from his senior season. 2 Alabama, No. He made 2 All-Star game appearances, in 1997 and 1998, and won an Olympic gold medal as part of the famed Dream Team in 1992. The 1992 Olympics was the first year in which NBA players were allowed to compete, but Team USA reserved one spot on the team for a college player, so Laettner didn't take a place away from an NBA star. It seems that Laettner's high expectations may have gotten in his head and made him feel like he had to do more than what was required of him. He played for 6 teams total, winning an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004. Christian D. LAETTNER Biography, Olympic Medals, Records and Age The accolades are endless, but more than anything, Laettner is known for "The Shot." In the. In addition, Laettner was never considered one of the best players in his generation. Im bringing my whole family to Springfield, for this is a wonderful honor.. However, it is worth noting that he is not a part of the Hall of Fame for his individual achievements as an NBA player, unlike other players of the aforementioned Olympics team. UCLA would go on to win its 11th national championshipand its first in 20 yearstwo weeks later. He made the Final Four in all four years of college and playedin the national championship game three consecutive years. Laettner shot an extremely efficient 17-23 from the field, including 3-5 from three-point range. Jordan went to work once again. Three of the four coaches are also enshrined. What do his teammates and coaches think of him? 10 Reasons to Still Love Christian Laettner | Men's Journal Does Christian Laettner have an HOF argument? : r/nba The biggest adjustment was the speed. The stories. Laettner's knack for hitting clutch shots started long before he arrived in Durham. It is safe to say that his high expectations were not met and that he may have fallen short because of how highly people thought of him at the start of his career. Laettners number 32 jersey was retired by the Duke Blue Devils in 1992. He is the only individual. Did Christian Laettner Play In The Nba? - foreverrebuilding.com The Bulls celebrated their 6th championship on Utahs home floor, keeping the Jazz from a championship once again. Christian Laettner: College basketball stats, best moments, quotes ", Laettner on his game and his areas of improvement: "I have to work on my shot all the time. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. He was a two-time NCAA national champion and the only player to ever start in four consecutive Final Fours. Members Of The 1992 NBA Dream Team: Where Did They End Up? - TheSportster Christian Laettner is a retired professional basketball player who was a star player in the NBA for many years. He had one of the greatest college careers in the history of the game.. Both are NCAA records. While he will be remembered as a college basketball superstar and the perfect villian for college basketball in the late 80s and early 90s, it would be interesting to see how Laettners career would have been different if he entered the league today. He found time to talk trash to the leagues MVP and dunked on him in the waning moments of Game 2, one that has been replayed over and over again on classic NBA games and highlights. In 23 NCAA tournament games first off just, think about that; Laettner played in 23 out of a maximum 24 possible tournament games in college Laettner scored in double figures 20 times. Laettner was named to the New York State High School Class C All-Tournament team after setting a tournament record with 40 rebounds in two games. Everybody checked their egos at the door, and everybody on our team played basketball the right way, he said. Long before he was dream-shaking, game-winning Duke legend Christian Laettner, he was just a skinny kid from Angola, New York, who loved to play basketball. Given Laettner's skills and remarkable athletic capabilities, it's hard to argue that he shouldn't be included on a team that features stars like Magic Johnson, Jordan, Karl Malone and Chris Mullin. Michael Jordan was adamant about not going back to Utah and finishing off the Jazz. He wisely didnt call a timeout to keep the Jazz from setting up their defense. Williams, the No. 32 jersey was retired by Duke and was also awarded the USA Male Basketball Athlete of the Year award in 1991. This is not to say that collegiate success should be ignored when evaluating a players Hall of Fame case, but it is important to consider the totality of a players career when making such a decision. Mike Krzyzewski was in his 12th season as head coach at Duke in 1992. Laettner has admitted it was a "stupid move." Kentucky fans still wish he had been ejected so he wouldn't have been in the game to attempt the winning shot. Enter your information to receive emails about offers, promotions from NCAA.com and our partners. The competition there is real intense. 7th in NCAA tournament history in career rebounds: 13th all-time in NCAA history in single-season 3-point percentage: 55.7 percent, 1992, T-17th all-time in NCAA history in career games played: 148 games, T-18th all-time in NCAA history in career free throws made: 713 free throws, 25th all-time in NCAA history in scoring: 2,460 points. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The six-game series showed that Barkley was a star that belonged on the big stage. With 2.1 seconds remaining and Kentucky up by one, Grant Hill threw the inbound pass from the end line all the way to Christian Laettner by the foul . And once again, he led Duke to the NCAA championship game; this time they faced off against Michigans Fab Five team featuring future NBA stars Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson. But some teams have active ongoing streaks that have lasted two decades. However, Laettner's best season came in 1997-98, when he averaged a career-high 8.8 rebounds per game for the Atlanta Hawks. Russell Westbrook per Forbes, as of September 2019, Russell Westbrook has the most followers of any NBA player on, Read More What NBA Player Has the Most Followers on Instagram?Continue. A 6-11 (211 cm) power forward / center, Laettner played at Duke University, where he led them to the Final Four all four years of his college career. Lisa Thibault [Christian Laettner Ex-Wife] Age & Bio 2021 - FameandName Majerle made a living at the three-point line and was a tough, hard-nosed defender capable of shutting down opponents. The All-American ended one of the greatest college basketball games ever with a turnaround jumper at the overtime. home/away, monthly, etc More Christian Laettner Basketball Reference pages, Compare Christian Laettner to other players. He continued to be a productive player for the Timberwolves over the next few seasons, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996.Laettner's time with the Hawks was marked by frequent injuries, and he never quite regained his previous level of play. Laettner's final two seasons in the NBA were spent with the Pistons and the Washington Wizards, before he retired in 2005. Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA draft. The Phoenix Suns were Americas darlings during the 1992-93 season. Although he never won an NBA Championship, Laettner was a very good rebounder throughout his career. It was an NCAA type game, a very intense game. Power Forward and Center He was a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team"), which won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Point guard Price, power forward Nance, and center Daugherty were All-Stars and as good a Big 3 as any you will find in the league at the time. He's one of the best players in the that country when he does that. A story published in The Tampa Tribune in December 1987 noted how Laettner's Nichols School team competed in the Kingdom of the Sun Holiday Classic in Ocala, Florida, and Laettner scored 39 points, capped off by a jumper at the buzzer that give his team a 70-69 win. The Ultimate March Madness Trivia Challenge - Pro Sports Quiz Weve got all the latest news and information on the sport, as well, Read More Panhandle Basketball: The Place to Be for Hoops FansContinue, Contents Brad Davis, NBA Player Stamford Native NBA Career Early Life high school Career College Career Professional Career Personal Life RetirementLegacy Brad Davis, NBA player and Stamford native, is one of the best players in the league. The game is usually considered the greatest ever in college basketball, and Laettners shot has been re-run on television numerous times since 1992. The Bulls had other plans, though, and they dispatched the Cavaliers by winning the next two games. I wanted to face it again, I wanted to challenge it again. Villanova won the tournament in 1985. Moreover, they had Larry Bird as their coach. All information published on this website is provided in good faith and for general use only. After hearing the quotes that analysts like Jay Bilas said to Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times about Laettner, you would think that hed be destined for greatness in the NBA. But it wasnt until the 1992-1993 season that Barkley had his best opportunity to win the championship when he was traded to the Suns. However, the Christian Laettner NBA career failed to reach the same statistical heights after spending four seasons in Minnesota. But Malone and Stockton werent done yet. He had an amazing National Basketball Association career. Christian Donald Laettner Very few NBA players were as worthy of an NBA title as Ewing. Christian Laettner exclusive: From the 'Dream Team' to the 'Z Team' Christian Laettner was drafted 3rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1992 NBA Draft. I loved every second of it, playing 1-on-1 against those guys in practice and trying to learn. All rights reserved (About Us). Jay Williams, the former Duke sensation, won a national championship with the Blue Devils in 2001 and was a two-time player of the year. The Bulls eliminated the Sixers easily in five games. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils from 1988 to 1992. Related Read: How old is christian nodal? During the six-game series, Kemp averaged 23.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone will enter this year, making it 10. Christian Laettner played for the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 13 seasons from 1992 to 2005. Christian Laettner Net Worth 2023 - NBA Salary & Earnings Smith was a shooting guard who could score in bunches while playing excellent defense. Christian Laettner had started playing professional basketball in 1992 and played till 2012, where he also worked as an assistant coach at Fort Wayne Mad Ants in 2012. Christian Laettner was one of the most beloved and celebrated basketball players of his era. After his second season, his scoring and rebounding numbers both declined slightly and remained fairly consistent for the rest of his NBA career. He and college teammate Brian Davis started Blue Devil Ventures (BDV), which attempted to revitalize downtown Durham. Overall, Christian Laettner had a very successful NBA career. Related Read: Why do christians eat pork? His epic . Challenge accepted. Their leader, Charles Barkley, was named MVP and many had predicted that the Bulls had finally met their match in the NBA Finals. Laettner had a strong rookie season, averaging nearly 15 points and eight rebounds per game, and was unanimously named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Though they were the best of friends, MJ would cut his friends heart out during the playoffs three times in four years. Here's what you may have missed in men's college basketball on Saturday, Feb. 11, a day full of upsets. There were the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, the Detroit Pistons, and yes, even the Orlando Magic. The Blue Devils lost in the Final Four and in the national championship game in Laettner's freshman and sophomore years, respectively. The next year, Ewing brought the Knicks back to the playoffs and was on a collision course with the Bulls again. Laettners NBA career ended in 2005, and he has not played professionally since. Laettner had a solid NBA career, making the All-Rookie team in 1993, and the 1997 All-Star Game. Get this Asheville Citizen-Times page for free from Monday, April 1, 1991 ; Baseball5D Sports Fax251-0585 Monday, April 1, 1991 Dnke. But perhaps those high expectations for Laettner got in his head and were just too lofty for him to live up to. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. What are the fundamentals of christianity? And once again, Duke made it to the NCAA title game; this time, they faced off against UNLV, who were heavily favored to win. Here are some of the awards Christian Laettner won in college: Here are some of the records Christian Laettner set in college and where he ranks in all-time statistical lists: Bill Travers of the New York Daily News (March 1986): "Our Saviour Lutheran's season ended roughly and abruptly Tuesday night. This was the first time that the tournament moved to 64 teams and it has stayed that way ever since. The first time was on November 11, 1992, against the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged at least 16 points and seven rebounds in each of his first five years in the league. The curious case of Christian Laettner: Is the famed - Sportskeeda Christian Laettner played for six NBA teams - the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Miami Heat. However, if a team makes the playoffs, they could play up to 28 additional, Read More How Many Games Are In an NBA Season?Continue, Contents Who is Jordan Hall? ", More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Laettner's best season statistically was his rookie year when he averaged 16.0 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Everything was set for an upset. He was then drafted 3rd overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The lucky passenger on the most dominant basketball team ever was Christian Laettner, and Shaq acknowledges it was the right choice to make, despite the fact he had just been selected no.1 in the Draft. One of the all-time great centers, Ewing eventually found success in the playoffs with bruising power forward Oakley, (a former Bull), and fiery shooting guard Starks. "I remember my second year coaching at Northwestern, the same night he won his 1,000th game, we had a 13-point lead with four minutes to go vs. Maryland and lost on a tip-in buzzer-beater. He quickly became known for being a very undisciplined player, missing countless shots and not playing hard on defense. Barkley submitted averages of 25.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Kemp was so good in that series that even Dennis Rodman, the leagues best rebounder, and a premiere defender, couldnt stop him. The Pacers would reach the NBA Finals two years later but that was the last time they would get there. Later that year in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Hawks tied the series against the Bulls at 1-1, showing them that they had the firepower to keep up with the NBAs best team. A name most sports fans know, it would be impossible to keep Christian Laettner off this list. Find out more. So while Shaquille O'Neal (LSU) and Alonzo Mourning (Georgetown) were probably better players at the time, Laettner did have star power of his own. He was traded again in 1999, this time to the Detroit Pistons. Christian Laettner is best remembered for his outstanding college career at Duke, where he helped lead the team to two NCAA Championships. School: DukePosition: CenterHeight: 6-11Weight: 235 poundsYears active: 1988-92NCAA tournament record: 21-2Career averages: 16.6 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 57.4% field goal shooting. ", Former Duke guard Phil Henderson: "He doesn't play like a freshman, but he still has that giddiness about him. First, it must be a significant game. Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer did it at Florida in 2006 and 2007 and Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill did it at Duke in 1991 and 1992. One of the most controversial and productive college basketball players ever, Laettner laced up for . The era of pace-and-space would help Laettner avoid the physicality that he couldnt quite overcome in the NBA, and his decent mid-range stroke could translate well in todays league. The Knicks took the first two games on their home floor. Hes a great scorer and an even better defender. Christian Laettner was born in Angola, New York. Panhandle Basketball: The Place to Be for Hoops Fans, Brad Davis, NBA Player and Stamford Native. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 5 Surprising Things We Know About Christian Laettner After the Olympics, Laettner joined the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, playing with them from 1992-96. Laettner was named to the 1992 Dream Team as the only collegiate player on the squad and went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA with one All-Star appearance. Shoots: Bonnie Laettner, 74, teacher, mother of basketball great Christian Laettner I was recently thinking that since college achievements are considered when selecting people for the Basketball Hall of Fame it would make sense that a guy who arguably had the greatest college basketball career ever in the modern era gets in. After retiring from the NBA in 2005, it hasnt gotten much better for Laettner. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). From 1990-1993, Jordan, and the Bulls were Barkleys roadblock to a championship. They first met in the postseason in the 1990 Eastern Conference Semifinals. His father told him to take the lead and let everyone else follow. Show More. He averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, and shot an incredible 61.5% from the field. Laettner was infamously chosen for the 1992 Olympics . Christian Laettner is considered to be one of the greatest college basketball players of all time, and his exploits with the Duke Blue Devils led to him being a part of the 1992 Olympics 'Dream Team'. It was the East Regional final between Duke and Kentucky. In his NBA career, Laettner averaged 3.8 assists per game. First 2 men's NCAA tournament automatic bids, Tenn. Tech earns first auto bid into women's NCAA tournament. In Laettner's senior year, the Blue Devils went 34-2 and 14-2 in conference play. A Next Michael Jordan candidate early in his career, the Magics Penny Hardaway combined the scoring ability of Jordan with the court vision of Magic Johnson. He has earned this net worth from his NBA career, where he played around 13 seasons and was paid $61 million. It was the perfect picture of Jordans competitive will to win that brought down the Hawks. He played for the Duke University basketball team, and with his performance, he led the team to win two national titles. He enjoyed a lengthy NBA career, appearing in 868 games, scoring over 11,000 points and grabbing nearly 6,000 rebounds. What impact has he, Read More Jordan Hall: The NBAs Rising StarContinue, ContentsHow much does an average NBA ring cost?How much does the most expensive NBA ring cost?How are NBA rings made?How much does it cost to make an NBA ring?How many diamonds are in an NBA ring?What is the value of an NBA ring?Where can I buy an NBA ring? How Rich Are Christian Laettner and These Other Former NCAA Tournament They had a big opportunity in 1992 when the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Going one-on-one with Russell, Jordan drove to the middle then went with a crossover to take a jumper from the top of the key as his defender fell to the floor. Please logout and login again. Christian Laettner was selected third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Over his 13 year NBA career, Laettner averaged 12.8 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. 9. On the Jazz next possession, Jordan knew Stockton would pass to Malone on the block, so he snuck up on him as soon as the pass was delivered. He . Christian Laettner's Hall of Fame induction a dream come true April 23, 1943 - Nov. 26, 2017 Bonnie Laettner, mother of basketball great Christian Laettner, became a celebrity in her own right during the height of her son's stellar career He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. Here's everything you need to know about Christian Laettner's college career at Duke. Christian Laettner upset with 'Fab Five' documentary - Detroit Free Press In the end, Jordan could be seen breathing heavily and tugging at his shorts. Laettner's time with the Hawks was marked by frequent injuries, and he never quite regained his previous level of play. Christian Laettner had a unique and dizzying career arc. He was a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("The Dream Team"), which won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Christian Laettner's shot - Duke vs. Kentucky 1992 NCAA Final Four Down 103-102 in overtime against Kentucky with a . Laettner was a very good shot blocker, and was especially adept at blocking shots in the post. He faked right, turned over his left shoulder, double-pumped and made a miraculous . Christian Laettner Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio Why is he considered a rising star in the NBA? He bagged the Finals MVP after averaging the highest points in a championship series in NBA history at 41.0 points per game. He said keeps his medal in a safe at home and almost never takes it out. Chicago took the next three games to take a commanding 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5. Laettner said the foregone conclusion of a U.S. gold medal did not dim the competitive fire of the players. I just think it helped me grow as a player.. This first came in 1991 and then in 1992. This one, I just couldn't believe. In the playoffs, he averaged 9.2 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game. He shot 49.1% from the field and 73.6% from the free throw line.