LaRue Martin was drafted ahead of future Hall of Famers Bob McAdoo and Julius Erving.
13 Facts About LaRue Martin
2.
LaRue Martin has been discussed as one of the worst first overall draft picks in NBA history, but he moved on to forge a successful corporate career.
3.
Shy and reserved as a youth, LaRue Martin was a 6-foot-11 center from Chicago, Illinois, who attended high school at De La Salle Institute.
4.
LaRue Martin stayed in Chicago for college, recruited to Loyola University Chicago by Coach George Ireland.
5.
LaRue Martin had played similarly against Jim Chones of Marquette in their game the night before.
6.
LaRue Martin reflected on coach McCloskey by stating that he "wasn't a believer in my ability," LaRue Martin said.
7.
However, LaRue Martin averaged 7.0 points in 17 minutes and shot.
8.
LaRue Martin was traded from the Trail Blazers to the Seattle SuperSonics before the 1976 season.
9.
LaRue Martin signed contracts with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls.
10.
In four NBA seasons, LaRue Martin averaged 5.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 271 career games, averaging 14 minutes per game.
11.
LaRue Martin's selection was the predecessor in Portland to other unfulfilled big-man potential in Bill Walton, Sam Bowie and Greg Oden.
12.
LaRue Martin is on the National Basketball Retired Players Association Board of Directors.
13.
LaRue Martin was featured in a segment on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel in 2011.