Larry Kenon
Encyclopedia
Larry Joe Kenon is an American
former professional basketball
player.
A 6'9" forward who had a productive career in both the American Basketball Association
(ABA) and the National Basketball Association
(NBA), Kenon played for the New York Nets
, San Antonio Spurs
, Chicago Bulls
, Golden State Warriors
and Cleveland Cavaliers
.
to play basketball at Memphis State University
. In his junior year, 1972-73, he averaged 20.1 points and 16.7 rebounds per game and led the Tigers to the NCAA championship game
, where they were defeated by the Bill Walton
-led UCLA Bruins
. After that season, one in which he was named Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
, Kenon left Memphis State and turned pro.
selected Kenon in the third round (15th pick overall) of the NBA Draft
. He was also drafted by the Memphis Tams
of the ABA, but the New York Nets secured his draft rights. During his 1973-74 rookie season, Kenon averaged 15.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game on the Julius Erving
-led Nets team that won the 1974 ABA Championship
.
After averaging 18.7 points during the 1974-75 season, Kenon was traded to San Antonio for Swen Nater
. Once again he averaged 18.7 points, along with 11.1 rebounds per game in the Spurs' final season in the ABA before they joined the NBA with the Nets, Denver Nuggets
and Indiana Pacers
.
Kenon made the All-Star Team in each of his three ABA seasons, and competed in the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest
during the 1976 ABA All-Star Game
. In 249 ABA games, Kenon had scored 4,419 points and grabbed 2,759 rebounds for an average of 17.7 and 11.1 per game, respectively.
. In each of the four seasons they were teammates after the ABA-NBA merger
, both averaged at least 20 points per game. In those four NBA seasons, Kenon averaged 21.9 (1976-77
), 20.6 (1977-78
), 22.1 (1978-79
) and 20.1 (1979-80
) points per game. He also made the NBA All-Star team in 1978
and 1979
. He also averaged at least 10.7 rebounds per game in each of those four seasons, his high being 12.0 in 1976-77.
After the 1979-80 season
Kenon signed with the Chicago Bulls. While his minutes per game went down in Chicago (28.1 during the 1980-81 season; he had never averaged fewer than 34.6 previously), he averaged 14.1 points per game; however, this would be his last effective season.
In his seven NBA seasons, Kenon played 503 games and scored 8535 points for a 17.0 average. His NBA and ABA totals were 12,954 points for a 17.2 average.
faith after retiring from basketball; he now goes by the name of Muhsin Kenon. http://thedraftreview.com/index.php?limitstart=18
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former 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.
A 6'9" forward who had a productive career in both the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
(ABA) and the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA), Kenon played for the New York Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
, Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
and Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
.
College
Kenon transferred from Amarillo CollegeAmarillo College
Amarillo College is a two-year fully accredited community college in Amarillo, Texas with over 10,000 students that was established in 1929 as Amarillo Junior College...
to play basketball at Memphis State University
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
. In his junior year, 1972-73, he averaged 20.1 points and 16.7 rebounds per game and led the Tigers to the NCAA championship game
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
, where they were defeated by the Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
-led UCLA Bruins
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. After that season, one in which he was named Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Larry Bird Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given to the Missouri Valley Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 1968–69 season...
, Kenon left Memphis State and turned pro.
ABA career
In 1973, the Detroit PistonsDetroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
selected Kenon in the third round (15th pick overall) of the NBA Draft
1973 NBA Draft
The 1973 NBA Draft was the 27th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 24, 1973 before the 1973–74 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. He was also drafted by the Memphis Tams
Memphis Tams
The Memphis Tams were an American Basketball Association team during the 1972-1973 and 1973-1974 seasons. The team had previously been the New Orleans Buccaneers for three seasons before moving to Memphis, Tennessee where it became the Memphis Pros from 1970 through 1972. The team later became...
of the ABA, but the New York Nets secured his draft rights. During his 1973-74 rookie season, Kenon averaged 15.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game on the Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
-led Nets team that won the 1974 ABA Championship
1974 ABA Playoffs
The 1974 ABA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the American Basketball Association's 1973-1974 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Division champion New York Nets defeating the Western Division champion Utah Stars, four games to one in the ABA Finals.-Notable events:A one game...
.
After averaging 18.7 points during the 1974-75 season, Kenon was traded to San Antonio for Swen Nater
Swen Nater
Swen Eric Nater is a retired Dutch professional basketball player, primarily in the ABA and NBA.-Basketball career:Nater helped John Wooden's UCLA Bruins win two NCAA titles....
. Once again he averaged 18.7 points, along with 11.1 rebounds per game in the Spurs' final season in the ABA before they joined the NBA with the Nets, Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
and Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Kenon made the All-Star Team in each of his three ABA seasons, and competed in the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest
Slam Dunk Contest
The Slam Dunk Contest is an annual National Basketball Association competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. The contest was inaugurated by the American Basketball Association at its All-Star Game in 1976 in Denver, the same year the slam dunk was legalized in the NCAA...
during the 1976 ABA All-Star Game
1976 ABA All-Star Game
GAME 9: at McNichols Arena, Denver, Colorado, January 27, 1976MVP: David Thompson, Denver NuggetsCoaches:* All-Stars: Kevin Loughery, New York Nets* Denver: Larry Brown, Denver NuggetsIn the 1976 ABA All Star Game, the league abandoned the usual East vs...
. In 249 ABA games, Kenon had scored 4,419 points and grabbed 2,759 rebounds for an average of 17.7 and 11.1 per game, respectively.
NBA career
Kenon enjoyed the best years of his career in San Antonio playing alongside George GervinGeorge Gervin
George "The Iceman" Gervin is a retired American professional basketball player who played in both the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association for the Virginia Squires, San Antonio Spurs, and Chicago Bulls...
. In each of the four seasons they were teammates after the ABA-NBA merger
ABA-NBA merger
The ABA–NBA merger was the merger of the American Basketball Association with the National Basketball Association, which after multiple attempts over several years finally occurred in 1976.- Origins of ABA-NBA competition :...
, both averaged at least 20 points per game. In those four NBA seasons, Kenon averaged 21.9 (1976-77
1976-77 NBA season
The 1976–77 NBA season was the 31st season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Portland Trail Blazers winning the NBA Championship, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
), 20.6 (1977-78
1977-78 NBA season
The 1977–78 NBA season was the 32nd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Washington Bullets winning the NBA Championship, beating the Seattle SuperSonics 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
), 22.1 (1978-79
1978-79 NBA season
The 1978–79 NBA season was the 33rd season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Seattle SuperSonics winning the NBA Championship, beating the Washington Bullets 4 games to 1 in the NBA Finals, a rematch of the previous year's Finals, but with the opposite...
) and 20.1 (1979-80
1979-80 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Coach of the Year: Bill Fitch, Boston Celtics*All-NBA First Team:**Paul Westphal, Phoenix Suns...
) points per game. He also made the NBA All-Star team in 1978
1978 NBA All-Star Game
GAME 28: at Atlanta, Feb. 5, 1978MVP: Randy SmithCoaches: East: Billy Cunningham, West: Jack Ramsay.-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by periods: *Halftime— West, 66-57*Third Quarter— West, 100-92...
and 1979
1979 NBA All-Star Game
GAME 29: at Detroit, Feb. 4, 1979MVP: David ThompsonCoaches: East: Dick Motta, West: Lenny Wilkens.-Western Conference: -Eastern Conference: -Score by periods: *Halftime— West, 80-58*Third Quarter— West, 104-98...
. He also averaged at least 10.7 rebounds per game in each of those four seasons, his high being 12.0 in 1976-77.
After the 1979-80 season
1979-80 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: Larry Bird, Boston Celtics*Coach of the Year: Bill Fitch, Boston Celtics*All-NBA First Team:**Paul Westphal, Phoenix Suns...
Kenon signed with the Chicago Bulls. While his minutes per game went down in Chicago (28.1 during the 1980-81 season; he had never averaged fewer than 34.6 previously), he averaged 14.1 points per game; however, this would be his last effective season.
In his seven NBA seasons, Kenon played 503 games and scored 8535 points for a 17.0 average. His NBA and ABA totals were 12,954 points for a 17.2 average.
Other accomplishments
- In a December 26, 1976 game against the Kansas City KingsSacramento KingsThe Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
at Kemper ArenaKemper ArenaKemper Arena is a 19,500 seat indoor arena, in Kansas City, Missouri.It is named for R. Crosby Kemper Sr., a member of the powerful Kemper financial clan and who donated $3.2 million, from his estate for the arena...
, which San Antonio won 110-105, Kenon set an NBA record for stealsSteal (basketball)In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting to a teammate a pass or dribble of an offensive player...
in a game with eleven. (The New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
' Kendall GillKendall GillKendall Cedric Gill is a retired American professional basketball player, now a sports analyst for Comcast Sports Net and the Big Ten Network.-Early life:...
tied the record in an April 3, 1999 game against the Miami HeatMiami HeatThe Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
.) He also recorded 29 points and 15 rebounds for a rare points-rebounds-steals triple-double.
- Though Memphis State, now the University of MemphisUniversity of MemphisThe University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
, has retired the numbers of other former basketball players, like Larry FinchLarry FinchLarry Finch was a player and coach for the University of Memphis men's basketball team. He is perhaps most famous for leading the Memphis State Tigers to the NCAA men's basketball championship game in 1973 in a heroic loss to the UCLA Bruins, led by Bill Walton.- Playing career :Finch was born in...
, Keith LeeKeith LeeKeith Lee is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round of the 1985 NBA Draft later to be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers...
, and Anfernee HardawayPenny HardawayAnfernee Deon "Penny" Hardaway is a former American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association , specializing as a small forward, shooting guard, and point guard. His most productive years came in his days as a member of the Orlando Magic as well as the early...
, Larry Kenon has never had his number retired. He arguably had the most successful pro career of any Memphis State basketball player.
Personal life
Kenon converted to the MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
faith after retiring from basketball; he now goes by the name of Muhsin Kenon. http://thedraftreview.com/index.php?limitstart=18
External links
- NBA stats @ basketballreference.com