20 Facts About Larry Costello

Lawrence Ronald Costello was an American professional basketball player and coach.

Larry Costello served as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls.

In 2022, Larry Costello was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.

Larry Costello had excelled in basketball, baseball, and football but chose to attend Niagara for basketball.

Larry Costello played three seasons at Niagara, from 1951 to 1954, after spending his freshman year on the freshman team due to the NCAA rules of the time.

Larry Costello led the Purple Eagles to the National Invitational Tournament in 1953 and 1954 before graduating as the all-time leading scorer in program history.

Larry Costello wore the jersey number of 24 until his senior season due to his efforts in a notable game in his junior year.

Larry Costello was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors in 1954, electing to choose it over study at the University of Buffalo and their dental school due to having more of a passion for basketball.

Larry Costello averaged over ten points a game in each of his first eight seasons with the team.

Forty-two games into the season, Larry Costello tore his Achilles tendon on January 6,1967, and was replaced by Wali Jones.

Larry Costello did come back to participate in the 1967 playoffs, where he earned a championship ring.

Larry Costello ended his career for the second and final time in 1968.

Larry Costello began his coaching career at East Syracuse-Minoa High School, his alma mater, where he served for the 1968 season.

Larry Costello was replaced by Don Nelson, who would be head coach of the Bucks for 11 seasons.

Larry Costello's last coaching job was at Utica College in the 1980s.

Larry Costello retired in 1987, having won 65 games at Utica in six seasons.

Larry Costello was best known as one of the first coaches to employ videotape to analyze his team and opponents.

Larry Costello appeared on NBA Live videogame series, as member of the 1950s NBA Live Legend All-Stars Team.

Larry Costello died on December 13,2001, after battling cancer for more than a year.

Larry Costello was featured in the book Basketball History in Syracuse, Hoops Roots by author Mark Allen Baker published by The History Press in 2010.