Rest in peace. One of the most underrated guards to play at UK…an integration pioneer, and a great Kentucky native who contributed greatly!
Larry Johnson
- Thread starter serdi
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Was the starting guard and scored 12 pts in the first ever game in Rupp Arena
I thought this was gonna be Grand ma ma. Still RIP to a fellow Wildcat.
.So sorry to hear that. First player for me that I stood out. I remember others of course, but I was a big Larry Johnson fan.
Defensive demon that 77 team should have won a national championship godspeed to Johnson's family
I remember that ‘76 NIT game too. We took on UNC-Charlotte and Cornered Maxwell.
RIP Larry.
He was one of my favorite guards at the time. UK had some good guards but he was just fun to watch. Of course we have had tons of guards since his time but I was born in the first half of the 60s and remember watching late 60s on with my dad, or in fact listening more that watching back then. Would watch local news for a few highlights.
The way he pushed the ball down the court was very distinctive as I recall.
Cawood “ Johnson tom toms the ball up the floor”
Larry Johnson helped inspire many hoop-playing boys in Union County (including me – he was my hero) and more throughout the Commonwealth in the 1970s, as the first African-American Kentuckian to play for the Wildcats. He was a prince of a man, too. I had the privilege of meeting his son at the 1975 Team Recognition game at Rupp this year – what a fine young man and legacy for Larry. God rest your soul, Larry, peace and mercy.
Larry Johnson is still one of the top 10 quickest players ever at UK, imo. He was right there with Minnieifield, Beal, Dwight Anderson, and others in terms of pure quickness. Here is the first half of the 1977 North Carolina game. Second half is a separate video, and of higher quality.
Second half - UK down 53-41 at half, cuts it to 59-53, UNC goes to four corners with 15 minutes left, destroying what was shaping up to be a classic game.
Second half - UK down 53-41 at half, cuts it to 59-53, UNC goes to four corners with 15 minutes left, destroying what was shaping up to be a classic game.
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One of the most affable people I've ever met. He really was a gem of a person.
Glad to see that people who remember him know just how good and impactful he was.
RIP friend.