Larry Hughes is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on January 23, 1979, in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Christian Brothers College High School. Hughes was a standout player in high school and was named the Missouri Player of the Year in 1997.
After high school, Hughes attended Saint Louis University, where he played college basketball for two seasons. In his sophomore year, he averaged 20.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game and was named the Conference USA Player of the Year. After his sophomore year, Hughes declared for the NBA draft and was selected eighth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1998.
Hughes played for the 76ers for three seasons before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in 2000. He played for the Warriors for two seasons before being traded to the Washington Wizards in 2002. Hughes had his best season with the Wizards in 2004-05, averaging 22.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team that season.
After his time with the Wizards, Hughes played for several other NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic. He was known for his defensive skills and was often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player. Hughes was also a solid scorer and averaged over 20 points per game in two seasons.
Hughes retired from the NBA in 2012 after playing for 13 seasons. He finished his career with averages of 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Hughes was also a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection and played in the NBA Finals with the Cavaliers in 2007.
Off the court, Hughes has been involved in several philanthropic endeavors. He founded the Larry Hughes Basketball Academy, which provides basketball training and life skills education to young athletes. Hughes has also been involved in efforts to combat childhood obesity and has worked with the Boys and Girls Club of America.
In conclusion, Larry Hughes had a successful career in the NBA, known for his defensive skills and scoring ability. He played for several teams over 13 seasons and was a two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection. Off the court, Hughes has been involved in philanthropic endeavors and has worked to give back to his community.
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