Tom LaGarde

Thomas Joseph LaGarde (born February 10, 1955) played forward and center in the NBA from 1977 to 1985. After a collegiate career at the University of North Carolina, he was selected 9th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1977 NBA Draft. LaGarde earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 1976 Olympics before turning pro. Traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979, he was part of the franchise's NBA championship team, though knee ligaments forced him to miss the final five months. Selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1980 expansion draft, he played all 82 games in their inaugural 1980–81 season, leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots.