Former Kentucky MBB player Larry Johnson dies at 70

Larry Johnson, who made All-SEC Third Team in the 1976-77 season as a 6-foot-2 guard on the Kentucky men’s basketball program, has passed away at the age of 70.

A native of Morganfield, KY, Johnson played four seasons for the Wildcats from 1973-77 under the late Joe B. Hall. Johnson attended Union County High School, where he was the first of three African Americans (eventually followed by Dwane Casey and Fred Cowan) from the school to be recruited to play basketball at UK. Johnson was a key piece to Hall’s teams in 1975-76 and 1976-77, averaging 11 points, 4.8 rebounds, and four assists in 34.8 minutes per game during those two seasons.

While playing at Kentucky, Johnson helped lead the Wildcats to a runner-up finish in the 1975 NCAA Tournament and an NIT championship the following year in 1976. UK won two SEC titles during his time in Lexington. On the hardwood, he was regarded as a fast player and terrific defender.

After his college career, Johnson, who would have turned 71 years old on November 28 of this year, went on to play one season in the NBA with the Buffalo Braves (now the Los Angeles Clippers). He was selected with the 24th overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft, but spent most of his professional playing career overseas in Japan before going into a life in coaching.