Larry Joe Bird Born: December 7, 1956 West Baden, IN USA Position: F-G High School: Springs Valley College: Indiana State, Indiana/Northwood Institute Drafted: 1978, Round 1 Pick 6, #6 Overall Height: 6'9" Weight: 220 Career: 1979-80-1991-92 Elected to Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998. He is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Nicknamed "the Hick from French Lick" and "Larry Legend", Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.He is the only person in NBA history to be named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Finals . According to Bill Benner, a sports columnist for the Indianapolis Star, the coach didnt think [Bird] was worth playing. Larry Legend was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana, on December 7, 1956, the son of Larry Joe Bird and Lois Legend. Today, Springs Valley High School in French Lick resides on South Larry Bird Boulevard, and it's clear that Bird was destined for basketball immortality as soon as he touched the court. As a result of his efforts, the Celtics reclaimed their status as one of the basketball worlds best teams. They have beaten the opposition 46 times in 54 playoff games and have only been shut out once. Larry Bird. Select the second team from the drop down menu. According to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, he averaged 30.6 points and 20.5 rebound as a senior. Bird started for the boys basketball team, where he left as the school's all-time scoring leader. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in his three seasons as a Sycamore. He played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The reality is there are only four real contenders. Bird married Janet Condra in 1975, shortly after graduating from high school. Bird finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds. The moral of this story is that basketball is no joke in French Lick, Indiana. He became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers after retiring as a player. Her husband rarely makes public appearances alongside her at basketball games, so Dinah keeps a low profile. And we just didnt make it., Youre not over it, are you? Patrick guessed. The Brigade moved to Class D in 1981. Notable alumni. What Is Larry Bird Career High? We were standing next to them. He first attended Springs Valley High School in French Lick before transferring to New Castle Chrysler High School for his senior year. In fact, Bird went to two different high schools during his time in Indiana. He led the team to a state championship in his only year there, and he was once again named Mr. Basketball. He also earned regular-season MVP honors on three occasions, which is even more impressive when you consider the NBA talent at the time. If he wanted to prove he could make something of himself, he passed that test with flying colors. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram will play outsized roles in how their respective teams close the season. In a YouTube clip of Bird in high school, the future Indiana State and Boston Celtics greatshowcases all the skills that made him a BasketballHall of Famer. Turns out even at a young age, Larry was always quite legendary. And, like MJ, Larry Legend experienced a snub in high school that served as some early motivation on the hardwood. Larry Bird currently has a net worth of $75 million. The Trail Blazers defeated the Hawks 54 to 40 on March 15, 2016, with a career high of 92 points. 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It is in rural Southern Indiana, about 100 miles southeast of Indianapolis and 60 miles northwest of Louisville, Kentucky. http://larrybird.es.tl/ He is also considered one of the best shooters in NBA history. 15-8 (L) Brockport @ Greece Athena On 3/31, the Brockport varsity softball team lost their away non-conference game against Greece Athena (Rochester, NY) by a score of 15-8 . Bird finished with 47 points, 14rebounds, and 11 assists, including a game-winning free throw with less than a second left in overtime, to help lead a 120-119 victory over Utah. Furthermore, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities afforded him by basketball and said that he will never forget the fans who have supported him throughout his career. After high school, Bird went on to play college basketball at Indiana State University. To believe that any of 2023's neo-contenders can become bonafide champs over the next few months is to believe that a once-in-a-quarter-century occurrence is about to transpire. Although things didnt follow a straight trajectory from after high school Bird almost left basketball behind during college things ended up working out. As basketball fans know, Michael Jordan had no problem taking things personally. Height: 6-9 (206cm) Weight: 220 (100kg), Current NBA Status: Unrestricted Free Agent, High School: Springs Valley High School [French Lick, Indiana]. Follow IndyStar sports producer Akeem Glaspie on Twitter at @THEAkeemGlaspie. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.6 steals per game in his three seasons as a Sycamore. Watching Hoosier-state icon Larry Bird play against fellow high schoolers during his career at Spring Valleyis the closest thing you'll see to a basketball-playing super alien descending upon a small Indiana town. .. 2 playoff MVP awards AII-Star MVP. The school opened in 1957 after the consolidation of French Lick and West Baden High Schools. The presentation will be given by Randy Mills. The following year, he won both the scoring and scoring championship. The first time a wider audience got a look at the future superstar was in the famed Indiana High School Basketball Tournament. He is currently the majority owner of the Indiana Pacers and has an estimated net worth of $75 million. This is the introduction to the game. Bird was named the NBAs Most Valuable Player in 1980, when he led Boston to its first championship. He helped lead the Celtics to three NBA championships, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Michael Jordan. They were a massive disappointment, yes, but also so transcendent for brief moments. Even during high school, Larry Bird proved to be quite the talent. After the 1994 season, John retired and during the next seven years, the band had three different directors. When he transferred to New Castle, he continued his success on the court. He was named an Indiana All-Star.. iconic Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird games. Select the first team from the drop down menu. Follow us on Facebook! That made him a superstar in high school, college and the NBA when he was drafted in 1978 by the Boston Celtics as the 6 th overall in the 1 st round of the 1978 NBA Draft. He had a successful college career, leading the Sycamores to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Larry Bird's Wife: Social Media Dinah tries her best to avoid it on the day when most celebrities are rocking social media. All content 2000-2023 RealGM, L.L.C. The Spartans won 75-64 in the highest-rated and most-watched college basketball game ever. In the Association, Bird made an immediate impact. They never give up, and they never give up on their goal. Born: Dec 7, 1956 (66 years old) Birthplace/Hometown: West Baden, Indiana. This would be the firsticonic Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird games, but certainly not the last. Bird finished third in the NBAs Most Valuable Player poll, earning him the rookie of the year honor. He made $26 million in his career. He was drafted into the NBA by the Boston Celtics in 1978 and went on to have an incredible career. A New School Year Begins At Woodcreek High School: Exciting Opportunities And Experiences Await! Bird still dislikes his high school classmates missed free throws from 40 years ago. Select the second team from the drop down menu. The video also details Bird's love of the game and the dedication he put into improving. Exploring Factors Benefits And Drawbacks. He serves on the boards of directors of Bain Capital, a venture capital firm, and the Boston Red Socks. Bird won Naismith College Player of the Year. Larry Bird is one of the most successful basketball players of all time. I was at a party about two years ago it wasnt a party, it was a cookout and this lady in her 70s, she looked at my friend and says, What are you doing here? And he goes, Well, Im coming to the cookout. She goes, After missin them free throws back in 74, you shouldnt even show your face.. They never give up on their goal and never give up on themselves. Larry Bird - Hall of fame forward, former NBA player for the Boston Celtics, former coach and executive of the Indiana Pacers. He has always prepared them for success because he knows what they need to do. Bird won 3 MVP Awards, was selected to play in 12 All-Star Games, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1998. During his career, Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named the leagues Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times. Northern Golf Outing Presented by Sharon Versyp, Citizens State Bank Hall of Fame Golf Classic, Southern Indiana Golf Outing Presented by Shepherd Insurance. Larry Bird averaged 23.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 31 games in the NBA Finals in his career. . The Boston Celtics have never finished with a better record in the playoffs. Larry Bird is an American former professional basketball player who is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time. Watch high school sports and events nationwide, live and on demand, via the NFHS Network. All of that combined to make Bird one of the biggest names in basketball history. Larry Bird on his early years as a basketball player. Theres no word whether Bird still harbors ill-will against any free-throw-missing teammates from this game. People in his town remembered it as well: You know whats funny? MaxPreps Follow your favorite high school teams and players. Larry Bird (Larry Legend; The Hick from French Lick) Position: Forward 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) School: Indiana State (Men) Draft: Boston Celtics, 1st round (6th pick, 6th overall), 1978 NBA draft NCAA All-Tourney NCAA All-Region 1978-79 AP POY 2x Consensus AA Wooden Award Naismith Award Rupp Trophy SUMMARY Career G 94 PTS 30.3 TRB 13.3 AST 4.6 In the 1992 Olympic Games, Bird helped the U.S. win a gold medal. Larry Bird started his basketball career at the Springs Valley High School averaging 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 4 assists as a senior on his way to becoming the school's all-time scoring leader. It was his right-handed 3-point shooting that gave him the go-ahead basket late in regulation and overtime. Tools and Resources Used by Real General Managers. That will to win started early for Bird, dating back to at least his high school days. The reality is there are only four real contenders. He was named the National Player of the Year in his senior year, and he would go on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NBA. They never give up on their dreams, and they never give up on anything they believe in. Height: 6-9 (206cm) Weight: 220 (100kg), Current NBA Status: Unrestricted Free Agent, High School: Springs Valley High School [French Lick, Indiana]. It is generally accepted that Larry Bird graduated high school in 1976. All rights reserved. Bird grew up in the small town of West Baden, Indiana, and attended Springs Valley High School. 1 ranking in the county and the finals of the NCAA Tournament. Larry Bird SF #33. Patrick asked Bird to explain the Hoosiersphenomenon. Bird started describing his experience as a young player in the tournament but couldnt help throwing his high school teammate under the bus: The dream was to be good enough to play against the big schools, and thats what we tried to do. And, lest you think that the forward was simply a member of some talented teams, his stats prove that Bird was leading from the front. The Boston Celtics improved by 32 wins in the months following his hiring, and he led them to a championship chance. Photo Galleries Explore and purchase photos of your local teams. By his senior year Bird reached 6-7, but did not lose any of his ball-handling ability and quickness. He became a champion thanks to hisfabled competitive drive. Its because they play hard all the time. Pippen, an American basketball player who played in the NBA for 17 seasons, has died. averaged 33.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 28 games versus. He helped lead the team to a state title in his junior year, and he was named the states Mr. Basketball in his senior year. His point guard was constantly missing free throws late in the game, and his team was fouled out. Larry Bird was born in West Baden, Indiana, and raised in French Lick, Indiana. In 2016 they had their first undefeated season in the history of the program. A franchise like this has been recognized as a model franchise by all other franchises. Height: 6-9 (206cm) Weight: 220 (100kg) Current NBA Status: Unrestricted . Stream regular season and playoffs online from anywhere. All of that combined to make Bird one of the biggest names in basketball history. Duality underpins practically everything about the brief existence of the KD, Harden and Kyrie Nets. Bird began a successful business career after retiring from the NBA in 1992. Birds fame was always shared by his fellow players on and off the court. It is also critical to note that their players are always prepared for the playoffs. Larry Bird PPG 24.3 RPG 10.0 APG 6.3 HEIGHT 6'9" (2.06m) WEIGHT 220lb (100kg) COUNTRY USA LAST ATTENDED Indiana State BIRTHDATE December 7, 1956 DRAFT 1978 R1 Pick 6 EXPERIENCE 13 Years Stats. On March 12, 1985, the Hawks recorded 20 rebound assists. Exploring The Benefits Of College Now Classes For High School Students, The Power Of Speech: Exploring The Mandatory Speech Classes In Arkansas High Schools, Teaching With A High School Diploma: Exploring The Possibilities And Requirements. Lets take a walk down memory lane. Confirm that your trade proposal is valid according to the NBA collective bargaining agreement. Birds father died by suicide and divorced his daughter shortly after their marriage. Throughout his career in Boston, the publically-reserved Indiana native was known as the Hick from French Lick.. The couple owns multiple houses and lives a luxurious life of their own. There have been more Finals appearances for this team than any other, and they have won more championship rings than any other team. He became the first player in NBA history to shoot 50% or better on field goals, 40% on three-pointers, and 90% on free throws in the same NBA season. Michael Jordan averaged 33.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 28 games versus Larry Bird in his career. Bird: They knew it, and they began fouling him, and we didnt make it. Springs Valley 1974 scored 1,125 career points at Springs Valley averaged 30.6 points and 20.5 rebounds lndiana All-Star college ball at Indiana State University 1979 College Player of the Year in professional career 3 times MVP for the NBA. LikeSportscastingon Facebook. The all-time great grew up in French Lick, Indiana, a tiny town with a current population of 1,777, perthe U.S. Census Bureau. Dinah Mattingly (1989-Present) - Larry Bird married his second wife Dinah Mattingly in 1989. Here are some of the records and historical rankings that Larry Bird achieved at Indiana State: A member of the 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club: 2,850 points and 1,247 rebounds Indiana. During his first season, he was named the NBAs rookie of the year, and he went on to win three NBA titles. Larry Bird has dated - Janet Condra - Larry Bird was previously married to his high school sweetheart Janet Condra with whom he had a daughter named Corrie. With the most lucrative NBA contracts recently surpassing $40 million, the highest-paid players have had their contracts extended. Larry Bird Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird (Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick, Kodak, The Great White Hope) Position: Small Forward and Power Forward Shoots: Right 6-9 , 220lb (206cm, 99kg) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 12x All Star I dont know much about Larry Birds wife, but from what Ive heard she seems like a very sweet and caring person. Larry Bird Gave Bill Walton His Life Back: You Have Not Spent Six Years of Your Life on the Clippers. This may come as a surprise to most, but Larry Bird had a vertical jump of 28 inches. He has since earned a total of $34,740,000 in salary. During his 13 professional seasons, the forward averaged 24.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. The Brigade was State Champion Runner-Up in 1978, 1992, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. He is the owner of six NBA championship rings, having previously led the Chicago Bulls to six titles. Johnson scored 24 points and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. A loss is a loss, and [it was] a big loss.. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. NFHS Network is part of the CBS Sports Digital Network. The Junior High/High School band the "Blackhawk Brigade" was directed by Gilbert Aylsworth.