Dominant inside play coupled with a sweet touch from the outside made Lanier one of the most feared big men in the history of college basketball. His determination led tiny St. Bonaventure University in western New York to the 1970 NCAA Final Four. Lanier holds school records for scoring (27.6 points per game) and rebounding (15.7 rebounds per game). During his 14-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, he was the model of consistency. He was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team in 1970.

Special Assistant to NBA Commissioner David Stern