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Christian Laettner

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Christian Laettner
Laettner in 2014
Personal information
Born(1969-08-17)August 17, 1969(age 54)
Angola, New York,U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolNichols School(Buffalo, New York)
CollegeDuke(1988–1992)
NBA draft1992:1st round, 3rd overall pick
Selected by theMinnesota Timberwolves
Playing career1992–2005
PositionPower forward/center
Number32, 44
Career history
As player:
1992–1996Minnesota Timberwolves
1996–1998Atlanta Hawks
1999–2000Detroit Pistons
2000–2001Dallas Mavericks
2001–2004Washington Wizards
2004–2005Miami Heat
As coach:
2012Fort Wayne Mad Ants(assistant)
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points11,121 (12.8 ppg)
Rebounds5,806 (6.7 rpg)
Assists2,224 (2.6 apg)
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat NBA.com
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat Basketball-Reference.com
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2010
Medals
Men'sbasketball
RepresentingtheUnited States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona Team competition
World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 1990 Argentina Team competition
FIBA Americas Championship
Silver medal – second place 1989 Mexico City Team competition
Gold medal – first place 1992 Portland[1] Men's basketball
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 1991 Havana Team competition
Goodwill Games
Silver medal – second place 1990 Seattle Team competition

Christian Donald Laettner(/ˈleɪtnər/,LAYT-nər;born August 17, 1969) is an American former professionalbasketballplayer. His college career for theDuke Blue Devilsis widely regarded as one of the best inNational Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA) history.[a]He was the star player on the back-to-back DukeNational Championship teamsof1991and1992,and theNCAA player of the yearin his senior year.[2]He is particularly famous forhis game-winning shotagainstKentuckyin the1992 tournamentand for the hatred he received from opposing fans.

Laettner was the only collegian selected for the1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team,dubbed the "Dream Team", that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. As a member of the "Dream Team", Laettner is enshrined in theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame,andFIBA Hall of Fame,while he is enshrined for his individual career in theCollege Basketball Hall of Fame.He was drafted third overall by theMinnesota Timberwolves,then played 13 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) for six teams, being named as anAll-Starin 1997.

Early life

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Christian Laettner was born and raised inAngola, New York,near Buffalo and Niagara Falls, to ablue-collarRoman Catholicfamily.[3]His father George, a newspaper press plant printer, was ofPolishdescent and his grandparents spokePolishas their first language while his mother Bonnie was a teacher. Christian's older brother Christopher was a strong influence, often bullying young Christian, which helped instill a stern competitive drive.[4]Both boys also frequently worked as farm laborers to supplement their allowance.[3]

Laettner making a lay-up as a sophomore atNichols School

Laettner attended the privateNichols School.Although he received a financial aid package that paid a substantial part of his tuition, his family had to sacrifice to send him there and he also did janitorial work at the school to defray some of the cost.[b]During his career he scored over 2,000 points, breaking the school record set by teammateRon Torgalski,[5]and the team won two state titles and reached another semifinal.[3]He was the second player fromWestern New Yorkto reach 2,000 points, falling short ofCurtis Aiken's total of 2,162 set five years earlier.[6]He was a much sought-after college recruit.[c]

In 2009 asThe Buffalo Newscelebrated 50 years of All-Western New York(WNY) basketball selections, Laettner, who was twice an All-WNY first team selection was named to the 1980s All-WNY first team along with Aiken,Gary Bossert,Keith Robinson and Ritchie Campbell[7]He was a first team selection for the All-time All-WNY team along with Aiken,Paul Harris,Bob Lanierand Mel Montgomery.[8][9]

College career

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Abasketball cardof Laettner from the 1988–89 season

Laettner attendedDuke Universityand played for thebasketball teamfrom 1988 to 1992 under coachMike Krzyzewski.As the team's star player his final two seasons, he led the Blue Devils to the first twonational titlesin school history.[d]A four-year starter, he also contributed to their runner-up finish his sophomore year and Final Four appearance in his freshman year.[e]Thus, in total, he played 23 out of a maximum possible 24NCAA tournamentgames, winning 21; both are records.

For his career, Laettner averaged 16.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while making almost half of histhree-pointers.[10]He scored 21.5 points per game his senior season, garneringevery major national player of the year award;Duke retired his No. 32 jersey later that year.[11]His career is widely regarded as among the best in college history,[a]and he is enshrined in theNational Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.[2]

NCAA tournament records

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  • Most points scored: 407[12]
  • Mostfree throwsmade: 142
  • Most free throw attempts: 167
  • Most games won: 21
  • Most games played: 23

Clutch performances

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Laettner had several clutch performances in the NCAA tournament.[4]His most famous was the1992 regional finalagainstKentucky,which was foreshadowed by the1990 regional finalagainstUConn;in both games Duke trailed by one point with two seconds remaining in overtime before Laettner made ajumperas time expired. He also swished the game-winning free throws against undefeated and heavily favoredUNLVin the1991 semifinal,which avenged UNLV's 30-point victory in the 1990 final. He then led Duke to its first championship, defeatingKansasin the final, and was selected as the tournament'smost outstanding player.

In the 1992 East Regional Final, a game many critics rate among the greatest in college basketball history, Laettner hit a game-winning,buzzer-beatingturn-around jumper that has since become known as simplyThe Shot.[4][13][14]Over the course of the game, he shot a perfect ten of tenfield goalsand ten of tenfree throwsfor 31 points. He then finished his college career by leading Duke to its second consecutive national title. The following yearESPN awarded himboth "Outstanding Performance Under Pressure" and "College Basketball Play of the Year" for the Kentucky game, also awarding him "Outstanding College Basketball Performer of the Year".[15]

The game-winning shot against Kentucky became acultural icon,having been frequently televised in college basketball montages. Several companies have also featured it in theircommercials.[f]In 2006The Best Damn Sports Show Periodranked it the fifth most memorable moment in sports history.[16]

Widely reviled

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Laettner was widely reviled by opposing fans throughout his career, to the extent that more than 20 years after graduating from Duke, he was voted the most hated college basketball player in history in anESPNonline poll.[17]This led to ESPN's creation of the30 for 30documentaryI Hate Christian Laettnerthat explored five factors that the filmmakers believe explain this widespread and persistent hatred: race, privilege, bullying, greatness, and physical appearance.[4]He was particularly resented for stepping on the chest of Kentucky playerAminu Timberlakeduring the 1992 regional final, which the referees deemed atechnical foul;Laettner expressed regret for his misconduct but believed that ejection would have been too harsh a consequence.[18]

Professional career

[edit]

Selected third overall in1992 NBA draftby theMinnesota Timberwolves,[g]Laettner played 13 years in theNBA,from 1992 to 2005, scoring 11,121 points and grabbing 5,806 rebounds.[10]His first six seasons were his best, averaging 16.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while starting almost all of them. He also was selected to the All-Rookie First Team in 1993 and the All-Star Game in 1997 while with theAtlanta Hawks,having been traded to Atlanta in 1996 alongsideSean Rooksin exchange forSpud WebbandAndrew Lang.His time on the Hawks was his most successful NBA team experience, twice reaching the second round of the playoffs.[10]

Despite his achievements, Laettner's NBA career was characterized by relative transience.[4]He played for six different teams, was traded six times, and never spent more than four full seasons anywhere.[10]In 2004, he was suspended for several games for usingmarijuana.[19]

National team career

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As the national player of the year, Laettner was the only collegian selected for the prestigious"Dream Team"that won the 1992 Olympic gold medal in a dominant fashion. He averaged 4.8 points per game.[20]The team is considered one of the greatest in sports history[21]and was inducted into theU.S. Olympic Hall of Fame,FIBA Hall of Fame,and theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[22]

Post-NBA basketball

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Laettner maintains a close friendship with Duke teammateBrian Davis.[4]They have pursued several business ventures together, including real-estate development inDurham,[23]aMajor League Soccerteam,[24]and an unsuccessful attempt to purchase theMemphis Grizzlies.[25]Some legal problems, primarily regarding unpaid debts, have also occurred.[26]In 2010, Laettner was enshrined in theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fameas a member of the1992 Dream Team.Laettner is the only player of the team who hasn't been inducted into the Hall of Fame individually.

Since 2011 he has operated numerous youth basketball training camps.[27]He also played one season in asemi-pro league[28]and briefly served as an assistant coach in theNBA Development League.[29]ForThe Z Team,anOlympic Channelreality show that has former Olympic athletes help struggling sports teams, he worked with theGaringer High Schoolboys basketball team for a week.[30]

Personal life

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Laettner lives inPonte Vedra Beach, Florida,and is an avidmuskellungefisherman.[31][32][33]

He is divorced with three children.[34]

He has donated large sums to hisalma maters.[h]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field goalpercentage 3P% 3-point field goalpercentage FT% Free throwpercentage
RPG Reboundsper game APG Assistsper game SPG Stealsper game
BPG Blocksper game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
* Led the league

NBA

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1992–93 Minnesota 81 81 34.9 .474 .100 .835 8.7 2.8 1.3 1.0 18.2
1993–94 Minnesota 70 67 34.7 .448 .240 .783 8.6 4.4 1.2 1.2 16.8
1994–95 Minnesota 81 80 34.2 .489 .325 .818 7.6 2.9 1.2 1.1 16.3
1995–96 Minnesota 44 44 34.5 .486 .290 .816 6.9 2.9 .9 1.0 18.0
1995–96 Atlanta 30 27 32.6 .489 .000 .823 7.9 2.3 1.0 .9 14.2
1996–97 Atlanta 82 82* 38.3 .486 .352 .816 8.8 2.7 1.2 .8 18.1
1997–98 Atlanta 74 49 30.8 .485 .222 .864 6.6 2.6 1.0 1.0 13.8
1998–99 Detroit 16 0 21.1 .358 .333 .772 3.4 1.5 .9 .8 7.6
1999–00 Detroit 82 82* 29.8 .473 .292 .812 6.7 2.3 1.0 .5 12.2
2000–01 Dallas 53 35 17.5 .511 .333 .817 4.0 1.3 .8 .5 7.5
2000–01 Washington 25 13 29.3 .491 .300 .844 6.1 2.3 1.2 .8 13.2
2001–02 Washington 57 48 25.3 .464 .200 .868 5.3 2.6 1.1 .4 7.1
2002–03 Washington 76 66 29.1 .494 .125 .833 6.6 3.1 1.1 .5 8.3
2003–04 Washington 48 18 20.5 .465 .286 .800 4.8 1.9 .8 .6 5.9
2004–05 Miami 49 0 15.1 .582 .143 .763 2.7 .8 .7 .3 5.3
Career 868 692 29.7 .480 .261 .820 6.7 2.6 1.1 .8 12.8
All-Star 1 0 24.0 .600 — 1.000 11.0 2.0 1.0 1.0 7.0

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1996 Atlanta 10 10 33.4 .484 .333 .704 6.9 1.5 1.2 1.0 15.7
1997 Atlanta 10 10 40.3 .418 .190 .857 7.2 2.6 1.0 .8 17.6
1998 Atlanta 4 0 21.8 .343 .000 .882 4.3 1.0 1.5 .3 9.8
1999 Detroit 5 0 24.6 .426 — .786 2.8 2.2 .8 .2 10.2
2000 Detroit 3 3 25.0 .412 — .750 5.0 2.0 .0 .3 6.7
2005 Miami 13 0 10.5 .500 .000 .833 1.9 .5 .3 .0 2.2
Career 45 23 25.7 .432 .179 .794 4.7 1.5 .8 .5 10.5

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1988–89 Duke 36 16 16.9 .723 1.000 .727 4.7 1.2 1.0 .8 8.9
1989–90 Duke 38 38 29.9 .511 .500 .836 9.6 2.2 1.6 1.1 16.3
1990–91 Duke 39 39 30.2 .575 .340 .802 8.7 1.9 1.9 1.1 19.8
1991–92 Duke 35 35 32.2 .575 .557 .815 7.9 2.0 2.1 .9 21.5
Career 148 128 27.4 .574 .485 .806 7.8 1.8 1.6 1.0 16.6

Awards and honors

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NBA
USA Basketball
NCAA
Media
Halls of Fame

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^abAs stated byJalen Rose,Gene Wojciechowski,Jay Bilas,and others.[4]
  2. ^According to Wojciechowski, "He was, in all probability, the poorest student at the school and almost certainly the only one whose parents ordered his clothes from the Sears catalog, which was the one place they could find pants that fit his growing frame."[3]
  3. ^As a freshman, Laettner received his first recruiting letter from nearbySt. Bonaventure University.The following year, he became a national recruit, sought after by virtually every majorDivision Iprogram. He initially narrowed his list to 11 schools and eventually decided he preferred the brand of basketball played in theAtlantic Coast Conference(ACC). By his senior year, he decided he would make only three official visits—toDuke,North CarolinaandVirginia.[3]
  4. ^Duke was the first repeat champion since UCLA in 1973 and remains one of two teams, along with Florida in 2007, to defend its title after the NCAA tournament expanded to six rounds in 1985.
  5. ^earning the distinction of being one of only four players (including teammatesGreg KoubekandBrian Davis) to play in four consecutive final fours, while being the only one to start every game.
  6. ^including those ofAllstatein 2003 and Laettner's reenactment forVitamin Waterin 2009
  7. ^afterShaquille O'NealandAlonzo Mourning;incidentally all three would be teammates on theMiami Heatduring Laettner's final season
  8. ^$1 million toNichols Schoolto create a scholarship fund for students in financial need and to aid in the completion of a new gymnasium[35]and, in partnership withBrian Davis,$2 million to Duke's men's basketball program to endow an athletic scholarship and support construction of an athletics center and practice facility.[36]

References

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  1. ^Men's Tournament of the Americas – 1992,USA Basketball. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  2. ^abChristian Laettnerat the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
  3. ^abcdeWojciechowski, Gene(January 10, 2012)."How can you be that confident?".ESPN.com.RetrievedJanuary 11,2012.Excerpted fromThe Last Great Game: Duke vs. Kentucky and the 2.1 Seconds that Changed Basketball,Blue Rider Books (imprint of Penguin Group USA), 2012.
  4. ^abcdefgESPN's30 for 30documentaryI Hate Christian Laettner
  5. ^Rippey, Sharon (December 19, 2007)."Ron Torgalski '89 Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame".Hamilton College.RetrievedMay 13,2020.
  6. ^Harrington, Mike (February 19, 1989)."WHITFIELD SCORES 45 POINTS FOR WNY-RECORD 2,189".The Buffalo News.RetrievedMarch 31,2023.
  7. ^Dicesare, Bob (February 14, 2009)."Talent overflowed in Eighties".McClatchy-Tribune Business News.ProQuest461592611.RetrievedFebruary 9,2024.We read your e-mails and your blog comments, took all your suggestions and observations under advisement.
  8. ^McShea, Keith (March 7, 2009)."All-time All-WNY team: How'd we do?".The Buffalo News.ProQuest381940241.RetrievedFebruary 9,2024.First team Curtis Aiken, Bennett 1981-82, '82-83 Paul Harris, Niagara Falls, 2003-04, '04-05 Christian Laettner, Nichols 1986-87, '87-88 Bob Lanier, Bennett 1965-66 Mel Montgomery, Kensington 1969-70, '70-71
  9. ^McShea, Keith (March 7, 2009)."WNY's all-time high school basketball team".McClatchy-Tribune Business News.ProQuest464904948.RetrievedFebruary 9,2024.Our staff has been banging under the boards for more than a month, picking our all-decade teams as we built toward this point, the final shot of our celebration of the 50th anniversary of All-WNY basketball...There were letters, e-mails, voice mails, blog comments and phone calls. There were opinions from coaches, teammates, fathers, brothers, sons and of course fans.
  10. ^abcdLaettner's Duke and NBA statisticsat basketball-reference.com
  11. ^"Duke Legends".Dukeupdate.com.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  12. ^"WashingtonWizards.com Mailbox: Christian Laettner".Nba.com.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  13. ^"Kentucky vs. Duke (March 28, 1992)".RetrievedOctober 30,2016.
  14. ^"SI on Campus: 16 Greatest Games".Sportsillustrated.cnn.com.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  15. ^"The 2002 ESPY Awards – ESPY Awards past winners".Espn.go.com.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  16. ^"Best Damn's Top 50 Unforgettable Sports Moments".February 4, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2009.RetrievedOctober 23,2012.
  17. ^Titus, Mark (March 19, 2013)."Most Hated College Basketball Player, Day 7: There Can Only Be One".RetrievedOctober 30,2016.
  18. ^"Christian Laettner tries to make amends for infamous stomp".Rivals.yahoo.com. October 5, 2011.RetrievedMarch 17,2012.
  19. ^CBC Sports."NBA suspends Wizards' Laettner"January 15, 2004. Accessed February 6, 2008.
  20. ^"USA Olympic Basketball Team Rosters and Stats - Basketball-Reference.com".RetrievedOctober 30,2016.
  21. ^"The Original Dream Team".NBA.com.August 8, 1992. Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2012.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  22. ^"The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Hall of Famers".Hoophall.com. Archived fromthe originalon August 18, 2010.RetrievedMarch 11,2015.
  23. ^"Duke buys property in West Village from failed Davis-Laettner venture".Archived fromthe originalon July 3, 2015.RetrievedOctober 30,2016.
  24. ^"MacFarlane leads group in purchase of Major League Soccer's D.C. United".Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2007.RetrievedApril 28,2007.
  25. ^"Owner sets May 1 deadline to take team off market".April 17, 2007.RetrievedApril 28,2007.
  26. ^Stych, Ed; Producer, Web (March 18, 2012)."Ex-Timberwolves Laettner, Davis again avoid jail time over Dawkins debt".Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.RetrievedMarch 18,2012.
  27. ^"The CLBA".RetrievedOctober 30,2016.
  28. ^"Getting to Know... Christian Laettner".Jacksonvillemag.com. November 2011.RetrievedOctober 23,2012.
  29. ^J.E. Miller (January 20, 2012)."Christian Laettner Joins NBA Mad Ants".Milleronsports.com.RetrievedOctober 23,2012.
  30. ^Fowler, Scott (January 28, 2018)."Would you dare put Christian Laettner in charge of a high school basketball team?".www.charlotteobserver.com.Charlotte Observer.RetrievedOctober 14,2019.
  31. ^30 Seconds with Christian Laettner,nytimes.com, March 29, 2009.
  32. ^Smits, Garry (February 12, 2012)."Christian Laettner never lost his taste for the game".The Florida Times-Union.RetrievedJune 25,2012.
  33. ^Best, Neil.Christian Laettner doesn't hate the film ‘I Hate Christian Laettner’.Newsday.Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  34. ^Christian Laettner Sued His Own Business for $10 Million. Now Some Former Partners Are Suing Him.David Hudnall,Indy WeekMarch 9, 2016
  35. ^"NBA.com: Christian Laettner Bio".NBA.com.July 16, 2006. Archived from the original on July 16, 2006.RetrievedOctober 30,2016.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  36. ^"Laettner, Davis Give $2 Million to Legacy Fund, New Athletic Facility".Dukenews.duke.edu. July 28, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2005.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  37. ^Christian LaettnerArchivedApril 19, 2015, at theWayback Machineat the Polish Sports HOF
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