Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson won the John R. Wooden Award in 1991 after an outstanding senior season at UNLV. In the balloting of 1,000 sports writers and sportscasters, the 6- foot-8 senior beat out Louisiana State's Shaquille O'Neal and teammate Stacey Augmon. As the leader of the Runnin’ Rebels, Johnson averaged 22.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 66.2% from the field. His dominant play helped UNLV remain undefeated until the Final Four, where they fell to Duke in a highly anticipated rematch. Johnson was a powerful and athletic forward who could overpower defenders in the paint while also showcasing a smooth mid-range game. He was the heart and soul of a UNLV squad that won the 1990 national championship in historic fashion. His leadership, rebounding ability, and scoring prowess made him the clear choice for the Wooden Award. Following his collegiate success, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1991 NBA Draft.