Join our newsletter! [47], During the 1985 offseason, Bird injured his back shoveling crushed rock to create a driveway at his mother's house. What he showed us is that truly elite stats can be produced by some with almost no talent, but insanely freaky physical attributes. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players we've ever seen and will ever see. However, Bird's height seems to come at a cost -- a cost he's well aware of and doesn't try to hide from. But, his biggest skill was his defense. To round out the finishing, shooting, and playmaking categories, put some points on close shot, driving layup, driving dunk, and post hook. Conversely, the height change will cause a negative impact on perimeter defense, lateral quickness, and steal. This is another case of parents being relatively short to their son. [90] Bird won three consecutive regular season MVP awards; as of 2020, the only other players to accomplish this feat are Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. As for the defense/rebounding class, set the interior defense, offensive rebound, and defensive rebound to around 10 points below the upper limit. [84], "Larry, you only told me one lie. [39] In the Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the 76ers for the third consecutive year, losing in seven games. In the commercial, Bird is practicing alone on a rural basketball court (in reality the court was one Bird had made on the property in French Lick that he had purchased for his mother), when Johnson pulls up in a sleek limousine and challenges him to a one-on-one match. The other shooting badges you should look to upgrade are Catch & Shoot, Corner Specialist, Difficult Shots, Fade Ace, Slippery Off-Ball, and Volume Shooter. 8. I couldn't miss. [2] Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star, won two NBA Finals MVP awards and received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award three consecutive times (19841986), making him the only forward in league history to do so. Larry Bird's bio Height: 6-foot-9 Weight: 220 pounds Birthdate: Dec. 7, 1956 College: Indiana State NBA experience: 13 years Jersey number: 33 Larry Bird's career NBA stats Here are some of Larry Bird's notable career achievements and statistics: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986) Two-time NBA Finals MVP (1984, 1986) For 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, from 1979-80 through 1991-92, Bird personified hustle, consistency and excellence in all areas of play as a scorer, a. NBA 2K users have loved playing as Larry Legend not just because of his ability to score from anywhere on the court, but also because of his versatile game. [83] While he was relatively slow, Bird displayed a knack for anticipating the moves of his opponent, making him a strong team defender. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. [25], In his rookie season (19791980), Bird immediately transformed the Celtics into a title contender. When he was on fire from the three-point line or mid-range, no one can stop him. . Unfortunately, a trade-off with this player archetype is that there will be fewer points available for the others. [44] On March 12 of the 198485 season, Bird scored a career-high and franchise record 60 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks. Astrological Sign: Sagittarius, Article Title: Larry Bird Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/larry-bird, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: April 20, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. So, you will have to allocate some of the points to these attributes. Ganyan naman talaga, you usually take off 1 1/2 to 2 inches off their published height - and you get their real height. Interceptor This significantly increases the frequency of successfully tipped or stolen passes. While standing 77, Bols wingspan was an unheard of 86. What is so impressive is that he has maintained those percentages despite the heavy volume of shots he takes. As the big three start to fade out in San Antonio, Leonard will become the face of the franchise. Kevin McHale has gone down as one of the 50 best NBA players of all time, and is probably the best example in NBA history of how length can be used to dominate on both ends of the court. Following his retirement in 1992, Bird became a successful head coach and front-office executive with the Indiana Pacers. LIVE. [114] Bird resigned his head coaching position shortly after the end of the 2000 season, following through on his initial promise to coach for only three years. In his final three seasons with the Celtics, Bird averaged over 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists per game, shot better than 45% from the field, and led the Celtics to playoff appearances. LAST ATTENDED. Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players score points by shooting (throwing) a ball through an elevated hoop located on either side of the rectangular court. Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Bird knows all about the problems with 7-footers and their health, and despite his wife's aversion to wanting to hear about it, reaching 75 years old isn't something Bird, 59 and now president of the Pacers, necessarily expects to accomplish. [99] He sometimes practiced shooting three-point shots with his eyes closed. home/away, monthly, etc More Larry Bird Basketball Reference pages. That would have been a 17% increase on his height. Two-time Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame inductee: College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2006). He was one of the best shot blockers in NBA history and a lot of that, obviously, had to do with the enormous wingspan. Sign in or Register to join the conversations! The first regular-season game between the Celtics and the Lakers in the 198788 season proved to be a classic with Magic Johnson banking in an off-balance shot from near the three-point line at the buzzer for a 115114 Lakers win at Boston Garden. His Competitiveness Has Taken Its Toll. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying "I was almost six-four as a junior, six-six or so as a senior and I grew to Six-Nine. They each had charisma, deft shooting touch, extraordinary passing skills, and team-oriented mindset that ignited their team and the crowd. [96] Bird was the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free-throws in a single NBA season while achieving the league minimum for makes in each category. 2. Durant is what is referred to as a hop shooter, something rare for a player of his height. A confirmation email has been sent. Small Forward and Power Forward Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope are nicknames for Larry Bird. The average NBA basketball game lasts between two and two and a half hours. He complemented his all-around game with accurate outside shooting and unmatched bravado. And to show you how skill beats jumping ability and athleticism, during his 13-year NBA career from 1979 to 1992, he won 3 championship rings with the Celtics. From Jackie MacMullan of ESPN the Magazine: Bird, who has an enlarged heart, was diagnosed in 1995 with atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heartbeat resulting from electrical signals being generated chaotically throughout the heart's upper chambers. To be part of this group, a player must record at least 50% field goal percentage, 40% three-point field goal percentage, and 90% free throw percentage throughout a season. Indiana State. In 2003, Bird was named president of basketball operations for the Pacers, holding the position until retiring in 2012. ", "Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and the 10 Best Closers in NBA History", "Ranking 10 Most Clutch Players in NBA History", "StaTuesday: Bucks' Malcolm Brogdon on pace for rare 50-40-90 season", "How Larry Bird won the first 3 All-Star shootouts", "Professor LeBron delivered a history lesson on Larry Bird's legendary game", "Larry Bird in photos: The 'Hick from French Lick' becomes Celtics legend", "Talking the talk: An '86 Celtics trash-talking tale", "Kevin McHale shares a classic Larry Bird trash talk story", "On This Day 22 Years Ago, the NBA's Best Trash Talker Retired", "Dennis Rodman recounts how Larry Bird schooled him in '87 playoffs", "Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Receive NBA Lifetime Achievement Award", "Bird Shoots for Coaching Greatness With the Pacers", "After the NBA Finals, Larry Bird Will Quit as Indiana's Coach. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Rondo also poses very large hands at 9.5 inches long, and 10 inches wide. When Durant drives the lane, his length allows him to finish with greater success, and have less shots contested. Many NBA bigs, including Larry Bird and Bill Walton, believe there's a negative relationship between height and longevity. [21] He eventually finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player Award voting to Moses Malone. He considered Bird to be the greatest basketball player of all time. [69] Following Bird's departure, the Celtics promptly retired his jersey number 33. Larry Bird's wife, Dinah Mattingly, is his high school sweetheart who got engaged and married the former NBA legend in 1989. [108], At the 2019 NBA Awards, Bird received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (shared with Magic Johnson). In his career, he averaged 2 steals a game and was named to the all-defensive team 10 out of 17 years he was in the league. When adjusting your players height, you can just copy Birds real height. He is also the youngest player to reach 1,000 rebounds, and each benchmark from that point through to 9,000 rebounds. Right, Born: Join our linker program. [77], Bird was voted onto the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team list in 1996,[78][79] and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. Take a look at the great defenders in the NBA, and the one common thread you will find in all of them is an impressive wingspan. At either end of the spectrum, the measurement would be considered elite. His effort helped to overcome a 47-point performance by Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins. [105][106] He was known for telling his opponents how and where in the court he would score against them; Xavier McDaniel recounted that Bird predicted a game-winning shot against him, then "shot a shot right in my face and was like 'Damn, I didn't mean to leave two seconds on the clock. The couple . This will give your shooting attributes a bit of a boost. Larry Joe Bird (born December 7, 1956) is an American former professional basketball player, coach, and executive in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Anonymous. . What does stand out is Maxiells stature. Larry Bird's Height 6ft 9 (205.7 cm) Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. Bird's 198889 season ended after six games when he had bone spurs surgically removed from both of his heels. Fade Ace This provides a shot boost to post fadeaways. Larry Bird starred at Indiana State University before joining the NBA's Boston Celtics in 1979. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [23], Bird was selected by the Boston Celtics with the sixth overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft. All Rights Reserved. Larry Bird. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice as a playerfirst in 1998 as an individual, and again in 2010 as a member of the "Dream Team". In, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 21:21. Bird has appeared in three movies, each time playing himself: Bird's likeness has appeared in several video games. [75] It was the first time in the United States' Olympic history that the country sent NBA players to compete. I'm not lying awake at night thinking about it. Rajon Rondo's length at the point guard position makes him a one of a kind player. Deadeye Jump shots attempted with a defender closing out in front of the player will suffer a lower penalty. Navigation Toggle NBA. Blinders Jump shots attempted with an opponent closing out in the players peripheral vision will not be penalized that much. Former American basketball player, who played with The Boston Celtics. [73] This style of play was starting to influence a new hoard of fans as they would sit and marvel at what they [Bird and Magic] can do while giving younger kids a different perspective of the game. http://www.nbadraft.net/2002predraftmeasurements.htm, http://www.insidehoops.com/chicago-camp-measurements.shtml, http://www.insidehoops.com/draft-prospect-measurements.shtml, http://www.friendster.com/user.php?uid=27447626, http://canadahoops.blogspot.com/2007/05/nba-predraft-camp-measurements-2002.html, http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/Orlando%202007-Complete%20%20Results.xls. Special Delivery Improves the chances of connecting with an alley-oop pass and increases the shot percentage of teammates who receive a flashy pass from the player. West only stood 62 which would make his wingspan 9.5% greater than his height. [46] At the conclusion of the year, Bird was named MVP for the second consecutive season behind averages of 28.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Take for instance Yao Ming, who stood an impressive 76, but his wingspan was actually smaller than his height at 75 inches. A 1980s Converse commercial for its "Weapon" line of basketball shoes (endorsed by both Bird and Johnson) reflected the perceived dichotomy between the two players. When you factor in the rest of his all around game, it is no surprise he is one of the NBAs 50 greatest players. w/ shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. [82] In 1999, Bird ranked No. Scottie Pippen stood 68 inches, but had a wingspan of 73, which is modest in comparison to some of the other players on this list, but Pippen used that length to its full extent. He couldn't miss. He had off-season surgery to remove a disc from his back, but his back problems continued and he missed 37 games during the 199192 season. Bird's basketball prowess earned him an athletic scholarship to Indiana University, where he was to play for legendary coach Bob Knight. Alonzo Mourning had a decorated NBA career as a seven-time all-star who had two Defensive Player of the Year awards and one NBA title. [22] He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. The reason for doing so is not just due to Bird being a proficient shooter and facilitator, but also because you will find out later that increasing the height will decrease these attributes. And it went down to the last shot of the game. The three-time MVP helped redefine the position and his battles with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers is the standard for NBA rivalry even today. His elite wingspan has allowed him to dominant the game over the last 10 years, and he has carved himself out a Hall of Fame worthy career. Wade is measure at 6 ft 3 3/4 Barefeet and he is also the same height as Kobe Bryant. Mock Archives 2017 Mock Draft 2016 Mock Draft . Celtics General Manager Red Auerbach publicly stated that he would not pay Bird more than any Celtic on the current roster, but Bird's agent Bob Woolf told Auerbach that Bird would reject any sub-market offers and simply enter the 1979 draft instead, where Boston's rights would expire when the draft began on June 25, and Bird would have been the likely top pick. Something went wrong while submitting the form. This is a very scary thought for a lot of NBA players, both past and present. Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. One of those things was being a relentless defender. If Bol had any type of offensive game to merit him more minutes, he would have set the blocks record so high that it would have never been touched. A 6-foot-9 forward who could dribble, pass and shoot the way Bird could made him one of the greatest NBA players. [13], Larry used basketball as an escape from his family troubles, starring for Springs Valley High School and averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior on his way to becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. The following top 15 will look at the most impressive wingspans in NBA history. The best they can do is continue to monitor their health, try to keep up with working out, and hope for the best. Talk about all topics relevant to Pinoys around the world. [21] Boston advanced through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Lakers, this time losing in six games. But I recommend opting for defense/rebounding instead. His extra length allows him to keep the ball away from incoming defenders, making for some spectacular finishes. Bird won 3 MVPs in a row, 2 rings, and 2 finals MVPs in that stretch, plus was 2nd and 3rd in MVP voting in the 2 years he didn't win MVP in that stretch. Best Known For: Basketball icon Larry Bird won three MVP awards and three NBA championships during his 13-year career with the Boston Celtics. [12] Georgia and Joe divorced when Larry was in high school, and Joe died by suicide about a year later. [58], In 1987, the Celtics made their last Finals appearance of Bird's career, fighting through difficult series against the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. There are a couple of pictures showing Wilt out stretched, and he certainly looks to possess a wing span in the range of 80. Wilt Chamberlain is part of many extraordinary tales and finding accurate data on the legendary big man is no small feat. Bird also led the Celtics in rebounding, with an average of 10.4 per game, as well as in steals and minutes played. A persons wingspan is the measurement from the tips of one finger to the other. His time leading the Boston Celtics was one of the most spectacular stretches of basketball you could imagine. [3], Bird scored 24.3 points per game in his career on a .496 field goal percentage, an .886 free throw percentage, and a .376 percentage on three-point shots. What you want to prioritize are those that will help you make shots even if defenders are right by you. Bird stands 6-foot-9, and his listed weight during his playing days was 220 lbs. [53] On March 10, 1986, Bird scored 50 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in a 115116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. A big reason for those 9 blocks can be attributed to his gargantuan wingspan. Positions: Small forward, power forwardYears Active: 19791992, Drawings include:Larry Bird standing, shooting, dribbling, NBA - National Basketball AssociationWikipedia - Basketball. McHale stood 610 and was reported to have a colossal wingspan that stretched to 80. A recent promotional poster out of New Orleans shows Davis with a 77 wingspan. Howard makes up for his height with an elite wingspan that measures 75. You will often hear basketball pundits state that a player has great length. This has lead some to believe that he is still growing, while most believe it is just a case of the Pelicans stretching the truth a little. Anthony Davis is one of the leagues biggest stars. The "Dream Team" won the men's basketball gold medal. Bird excelled in almost all facets of basketball. He was voted onto the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996, and consequently the 75th Anniversary Team list in 2021. With his added length, Durant is able to get the ball in a position that is very hard to defend. Rebound Chaser Raises the players ability to track down rebounds from farther distances than normal. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. [64][65][66] Bird finished with 34 points. The strain that goes on the heart of someone that tall is tough, and despite being rewarded financially for their skills and size, having that life cut short because of that same size is their reality. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The 7'3 wing span is 11.5% greater than his height. [133], During his professional career with the Celtics, Bird lived in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.[134]. 30 on ESPN SportsCentury's list of 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th century. Durant is a prime example that elite length, when combined with elite skills, make a truly special player. Bird had an average of 10.0 rebounds per game for his career and 6.3 assists. Larry Bird was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1998 (Full List) Bird and his teammates easily won the Olympic gold medal for the United States, and just a few weeks later, Bird announced his retirement as a player. It was the first time the two star players would face each other in a head-to-head battle, and it began a friendship and rivalry that would span both players' careers. To put that in perspective, his hands are larger than that of LeBron James. Larry Bird DraftExpress Profile: scouting reports, videos, stats and logs. This ratio is one of the higher percentages for players who have played in the NBA. [20] Bird also appeared in one game for the baseball team, going 1-for-2 with 2 RBI. Despite many peoples belief, Bol was not solely a freakshow, as he sustained a 10 year NBA career, playing for 4 different teams. These heights are still well below the NBA average and well below Kareem's height of 7'2". December 7, Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game in his career. He is the only player in NBA history to have more blocks than points (2,086 blocks vs. 1599 points). Indiana State University, High School: The Celtics failed to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in five years, losing to the Pistons in six games during the Eastern Conference Finals. After retiring as a player in 1992, he was appointed as the coach for the team the Boston Celtics. When Jordan played it was an open secret that players lied about their heights. Larry Bird weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) when playing. [11] Bird has said that being poor as a child still motivates him "to this day". For three consecutive years, from 1984 to 1986, Bird was named the NBA's MVP, and in 1990, he hit a milestone by reaching 20,000 career points. us, College: Dwight Howard is one of the premiere big men of the modern area, but stands at only 610. He is still young, and could be molded into something, but as it stands now, the Bismack Biyombo experiment is teetering on bust status. [109] Since 2022, the NBA will award the MVPs for the Conference Finals; the Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy is named in Bird's honor, while the Western Conference trophy is named after Johnson. International Stats at Basketball-Reference.com, College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Larry Bird is a charming man with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Elton Brand is entering his 16th year in the NBA this season with the Atlanta Hawks. Here's what the science reveals. Post Playmaker When the player passes out of the post or coming off an offensive board, the recipient receives a shot boost. The smallest report records it at 78, while the largest account has it at 84 inches. Dirk can't be 6'10. [96], Bird is also remembered as an excellent passer[100] and defender. [101] In recognition of his defensive abilities, Bird was named to three All-Defensive Second Teams. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Do you have a sports website? At the time, he was also the fifth-highest scorer in NCAA history. He was a great scorer, rebounder, passer, and defender. Per 48 minutes that number would be 8.6 blocks a game and the next closest to him is Mark Eaton at only 5.3. D raft E xpress. Underscoring his place in the game's history, he was named one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996, and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. . The summer of 1992 marked the first time the United States sent professional athletes to the Olympic Games. During the 1992 Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bird missed four of the seven games due to recurring back problems. Oops! [62], Despite the intensity of their rivalry, Bird and Johnson became friends off the court. [42], On December 9, 1984, Bird recorded 48 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 5 assists in a 128127 win over the Atlanta Hawks. w/out shoes Ht. It is that length that has sustained Brands career. 7. [97] He accomplished this feat twice. [54], With averages of 25.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists, and 2 steals per game, Bird became just the third player in NBA history to win three consecutive MVP Awards. Over the course of his 13-year Hall of Fame career, the sharpshooting forward led the Celtics to three NBA titles and claimed three MVP awards. According to our Database, He has no children. [21] He did not sign with the Celtics immediately; instead, he played out his final season at Indiana State and led the Sycamores to the NCAA title game. [3], A versatile player at both forward positions, he could play both inside and outside, being one of the first players in the league to take advantage of the newly adopted three-point line. Even after his retirement as a professional basketball player, Larry Birds name still comes up in the NBA because of his coaching skills and the executive role he holds in the NBA. "[70] Their rivalry began in college, when Larry Bird and Indiana State lost to Magic Johnson and Michigan State in the NCAA Championship game. Larry Bird Stats and news - NBA stats and news on Boston Celtics Forward Larry Bird. 6. [39] At the conclusion of the season, he earned his first All-Defensive Team selection. Same with Amare who's listed at 6'10 but measured at 6'8 1/2. Bird, Larry (1989), Drive: The Story of My Life. He has seen his points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage increase in each of his first three seasons in the league. Between them, Bird and Johnson captured eight NBA championships during the 1980s, with Magic getting five and Bird three. Even though he was a superstar, he also had no problem doing the dirty work, like playing hard-nose defense and hustling for loose balls. Kevin Durant stands 610 and has a 75 wingspan. He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals MVP, All-Star MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.[1]. The average modern human being is said to have a wingspan 2 inches greater than his height. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. Leonard is only 67, but possess a gigantic 73 wingspan, which is a full 8 inches longer than his height. 6-keys: media/spln/nba/reg/free/stories, By pressing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the. Leonardo Da Vincis Vitruvian man depicts the ideal human as having a wingspan equal to his height, but this was based off a human that was 55. Available in DWG (CAD, Imperial &Metric), SVG, JPG formats, For 3D Downloads of this element, upgrade to a Dimensions Pro Membership. The NBA logo features a silhouette of Jerry West, and that player does appear to have rather long arms. 2. The losses of Moses Malone (60 years old), Darryl Dawkins (58), Anthony Mason (48), Christian Welp (51) and Jack Haley (51) all in the last year are a reminder of Bird's and others' contemporaries and peers during their playing days passing away far too young. Bird had an uncanny ability of reading and anticipating opponents passes that helped him record 1.7 steals per game throughout his career. Any data prior to that is not a guarantee, and much of it is urban legend that grew a life of its own. Both Dinah and Larry studied at Indiana State University. HEIGHT. Bird got his 3rd 2nd team all defense in 84, it's not like he was slouch on that end, even if Lebron was the better defender. [115] Bird then led the Pacers to consecutive Central Division titles in 1999 and 2000 and a berth in the 2000 NBA Finals. THIS VIDEO GIVES A STEP BY STEP BLUEPRINT ON HOW TO CREA. ", -Magic Johnson, as quoted at Bird's retirement party. The legend was quite ahead of his time. The reason the Bobcats took a risk on this extremely raw player was due to his freakish wingspan. When they mention length, they are not talking about a players height, but more so his wingspan. His concentration and composure were unrivaled as well, and he established himself as one of the most unshakable and driven players in the NBA. That season, the Celtics posted a 61-21 record and defeated the Houston Rockets to take the first NBA championship of Bird's career. He mentioned in his own book about his height, saying, Photo ImageCollect.com / Mike Springer-PHOTOlink.net. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, March 3, 6:45PM. Top 15 Most Impressive Wingspans In NBA History, 10 WCW Character Transformations That Made No Sense, 10 Wrestlers Vince McMahon Signed From The AWA (& Turned Them Into Stars), Dominik Mysterio Speaks About Where His "Prison Dom" Character In WWE Came From. He chose to return to Indiana State for one more year and led the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game against the Michigan State Spartans, a team led by another future NBA superstar, Ervin .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}"Magic" Johnson.