Larry Johnson, also known as "Grandmama," was a professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 10 seasons. He was born on March 14, 1969, in Tyler, Texas, and attended Odessa College and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Johnson was selected as the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He quickly became a fan favorite and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season. Johnson was known for his powerful dunks and his ability to score from both inside and outside the paint.
In 1993, Johnson was selected to the All-Star team for the first time. He continued to improve his game and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1995. That same year, he led the Hornets to their first playoff series win in franchise history.
In 1996, Johnson signed a 12-year, $84 million contract with the New York Knicks, which was the largest contract in NBA history at the time. He played for the Knicks for five seasons and helped lead them to the NBA Finals in 1999. However, the Knicks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
Johnson's career was cut short due to injuries, and he retired from the NBA in 2001. He finished his career with averages of 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
After retiring from basketball, Johnson became a businessman and actor. He appeared in several commercials and TV shows, including a memorable role as "Grandmama" in a series of Converse shoe commercials.
In 2015, Johnson was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame for his outstanding career at UNLV. He remains a beloved figure in the basketball world and is remembered for his powerful dunks, his versatile scoring ability, and his charismatic personality both on and off the court.
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