Lanard Copeland
Encyclopedia
Lanard Copeland is a retired American-born Australia
n professional basketball
player. He played in the NBL
from 1992-2008.
A 6'6" (198 cm) guard from Georgia State University
, Copeland played professional basketball from 1989 to 2008. He had short stints in the American NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers
and Los Angeles Clippers
, but experienced his most success in the Australian NBL
. From 1992 to 2005, he played for the Melbourne Tigers
, winning league championships in 1993 and 1997. He was also the NBL Grand Final MVP in 1997.
Copeland moved to the Brisbane Bullets
for the 2005-06 NBL season
before moving to the Adelaide 36ers
, playing two more seasons until he finished his career following the 2007-08 NBL season
.
In his NBL career, Copeland played 532 games (5th overall) and scored 10,735 points (5th at an average of 20.1 per game).. During his time with the Tigers, Copeland played 449 games (2nd behind Andrew Gaze
), scored 9,862 points (21.9 per game), gave out 1,438 assists (3.2 per game), blocked 233 shots and grabbed 1,763 rebounds. He was also a member of the All NBL First Team
in both 1992 and 2002.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He played in the NBL
National Basketball League (Australia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
from 1992-2008.
A 6'6" (198 cm) guard from Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
, Copeland played professional basketball from 1989 to 2008. He had short stints in the American NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
and Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
, but experienced his most success in the Australian NBL
National Basketball League (Australia)
The National Basketball League, also known as the iiNet NBL Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Australasia....
. From 1992 to 2005, he played for the Melbourne Tigers
Melbourne Tigers
The Melbourne Tigers are Australia's oldest and most respected basketball team, established circa 1931 in a local church hall League. Entering the National Basketball League in 1984, they are now the only Melbourne team, after the South Dragons withdrew from the league.The Melbourne Tigers are the...
, winning league championships in 1993 and 1997. He was also the NBL Grand Final MVP in 1997.
Copeland moved to the Brisbane Bullets
Brisbane Bullets
The Brisbane Bullets were, until 2008, a professional basketball team competing in Australia's National Basketball League. The Bullets were one of only two teams that survived since the NBL's inception in 1979; the only surviving team is now the Wollongong Hawks. The team played in Midnight Navy...
for the 2005-06 NBL season
2005-06 NBL Season
Here are the results and statistics from the National Basketball League season of 2005-2006.-End of Season Ladder:This is the ladder at the end of season, before the finals. In all, 176 games were played, 32 for each team. The top 8 teams qualified for the finals series.KeyThe quarter finals were...
before moving to the Adelaide 36ers
Adelaide 36ers
The Adelaide 36ers are Adelaide's men's professional basketball team, established as the Adelaide City Eagles when they joined the National Basketball League in 1982. The Adelaide 36ers tally of four championships is equal with the Melbourne Tigers and second behind the Perth Wildcats as the most...
, playing two more seasons until he finished his career following the 2007-08 NBL season
2007-08 NBL Season
2007-08 is the 30th NBL season.On 21 November 2006, the NBL announced that Gold Coast Blaze will join the league, expanding it to 13 teams.-2007-08 league participants:-Pre-season Transactions:...
.
In his NBL career, Copeland played 532 games (5th overall) and scored 10,735 points (5th at an average of 20.1 per game).. During his time with the Tigers, Copeland played 449 games (2nd behind Andrew Gaze
Andrew Gaze
Andrew Barry Casson Gaze is Australia's best known basketball player, and one of its most successful. He is considered as the greatest player in the history of the NBL....
), scored 9,862 points (21.9 per game), gave out 1,438 assists (3.2 per game), blocked 233 shots and grabbed 1,763 rebounds. He was also a member of the All NBL First Team
NBL (Australia) All NBL teams
-NBL First Teams:* 1980 Cal Stamp, Danny Morseu, Brian Banks, Herb McEachin, Ian Davies and Ken Richardson* 1981 Rocky Smith, Danny Morseu, Al Green, David Nelson and Owen Wells* 1982 George Morrow, James Crawford, Leroy Loggins, Phil Smyth and Larry Sengstock...
in both 1992 and 2002.