Bob Lanier

Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. (September 10, 1948 – May 10, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played center in the National Basketball Association. Born in Buffalo, New York, he was the son of Robert Sr. and Nannette Lanier, and was raised by his mother in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As a boy, Lanier was initially rejected in his efforts to play basketball; when he tried out for his grammar school team, a coach turned him away.

He played college basketball at St. Bonaventure University. Over 14 NBA seasons, Lanier played for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks. He appeared in eight NBA All-Star Games and was named Most Valuable Player of the 1974 game. These accomplishments came despite a long history of knee injuries.

Lanier had his No. 16 jersey retired by both the Pistons and the Bucks, and his No. 31 jersey retired by St. Bonaventure University. After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and briefly as their interim head coach. He later worked as an NBA Cares Global Ambassador.

Lanier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. He died on May 10, 2022.