Eddie Johnson

From Grandmama to College Hall of Famer

Larry Demetric Johnson (born March 14, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons as a power forward with the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks. An NCAA champion and two-time NBA All-Star, Johnson is a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Quick Facts

Role: Power Forward
Affiliation: Charlotte Hornets (1991–1996)
Jersey number: 2
Status: Retired Legend

Lore & Background

Johnson won a version of national player of the year at the high school, junior college, and NCAA Division I levels. He was selected first overall in the 1991 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets, won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and later signed what was at the time the most lucrative contract in NBA history (12 years, $84 million). Known by the nickname 'Grandmama' from a Converse commercial series, he was featured on the cover of the premiere issue of SLAM. After a back injury in 1993, he developed an improved outside shot. He was traded to the New York Knicks in 1996 and was a key member of their 1999 Eastern Conference championship team. He retired early due to chronic back problems in 2001.

Reader's Guide

Larry Johnson played power forward for the Charlotte Hornets (1991–1996) and New York Knicks (1996–2001). He was a two-time NBA All-Star (1993, 1995) and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 1993. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1992. In college, he led UNLV to the 1990 NCAA championship and won the John R. Wooden Award and Naismith College Player of the Year in 1991.

Did You Know?

Johnson is the only player ever to win the NJCAA Division 1 Player of the Year award both years he played (1988 and 1989).
He competed in the 1992 Slam Dunk Contest, finishing second to Cedric Ceballos.
In Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, Johnson converted a four-point play that provided the winning margin in a 92–91 Knicks victory.
Johnson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science studies from UNLV in 2007.