Helena Frye
Will Lanier, more commonly known as Bob Lanier, was an American professional basketball player who played center for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Despite early setbacks, Lanier went on to have a successful basketball career, playing in eight NBA All-Star Games and being named the Most Valuable Player in 1974. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. Another notable basketball player with the surname Lanier is Chaz Lanier, who plays for the Tennessee Volunteers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. |
| Nickname | Bob Lanier |
| Profession | American professional basketball player |
| Position | Center |
| Teams | Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Jersey Number | 16 (Pistons and Bucks), 31 (St. Bonaventure University) |
| Education | St. Bonaventure University |
| Awards and Honours | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Named Most Valuable Player of the 1974 NBA All-Star Game, Three-time All-America selection (1968-1970), Named to the All-time All-WNY team, Coach and Athlete Magazine Player of the Year, Eastern College Athletic Conference's Player of the Year |
| Coaching Career | Assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, Interim head coach of the Golden State Warriors, NBA Cares Global Ambassador |
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What You'll Learn
Early life and career beginnings
Robert Jerry Lanier Jr., commonly known as Bob Lanier, was born on September 10, 1948. He had a difficult start to his basketball career, facing early setbacks due to his large feet and initial clumsiness. Despite his height of 6 feet 5 inches by the age of 16, Lanier did not make the varsity basketball squad in his sophomore year at Bennett High School as he was deemed too clumsy. However, Lanier persevered, and during his junior year, he successfully tried out again, encouraged by his new coach, Fred Schwepker. He went on to average an impressive 21.5 points and was named to the All-City team.
In his senior year, Lanier continued to excel, averaging 25.0 points and earning All-Western New York State honors. He consistently led Bennett High School to success, securing a Buffalo city title each year. After graduating in 1966, Lanier was highly sought-after, being recruited by over 100 universities. He chose to attend St. Bonaventure University, located just an hour and a half away from his home, where he played under coach Larry Weise. This decision was influenced by the advantage of having his parents attend all his games.
Lanier's impact on the court was immediate, and he quickly gained national recognition. As a sophomore in the 1967-68 season, he led St. Bonaventure to an undefeated regular season (26-0) and a number three final poll ranking. His individual performance was outstanding, averaging 26.2 points and 15.6 rebounds per game. One notable performance was against Loyola Maryland, where he grabbed 27 rebounds, contributing to a 94-78 victory. In the 1968 NCAA tournament, Lanier showcased his leadership skills, guiding St. Bonaventure to a 102-93 win over Boston College.
Lanier's stellar college career earned him multiple accolades, including being named the Coach and Athlete Magazine Player of the Year and the Eastern College Athletic Conference's Player of the Year. He was also a three-time All-America selection from 1968 to 1970. In 2009, as The Buffalo News celebrated 50 years of All-Western New York basketball selections, Lanier was named to the All-time All-WNY team, solidifying his legacy in the region's basketball history.
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College basketball career
Robert Jerry Lanier Jr., commonly known as Bob Lanier, had a stellar college basketball career at St. Bonaventure University. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall (2.08 m), Lanier was a force to be reckoned with on the court. He played the center position and wore jersey number 31.
Lanier was a highly sought-after recruit, with over 100 universities vying for his talent. However, he chose to attend St. Bonaventure, located just an hour and a half away from his home. This decision allowed his parents to attend every game and watch him play. In his freshman year, Lanier played on the freshman team per NCAA rules at the time.
As a sophomore in the 1967-68 season, Lanier made a significant impact and gained national recognition. He led St. Bonaventure to an undefeated regular season (26-0) and a number three final poll ranking. During this season, he averaged an impressive 26.2 points and 15.6 rebounds per game. One of his standout performances came against Loyola Maryland, where he grabbed 27 rebounds and led his team to a decisive 94-78 victory.
In the 23-team 1968 NCAA tournament, Lanier showcased his leadership skills by guiding St. Bonaventure past Boston College and coach Bob Cousy, with a final score of 102-93. Lanier's excellence continued throughout his college career, earning him a three-time All-America selection from 1968 to 1970. As a senior in 1970, he guided St. Bonaventure to the NCAA Final Four. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in a collision with Villanova's Chris Ford, which sidelined him for the remainder of the regional championship game.
Lanier's accomplishments at St. Bonaventure University did not go unnoticed. He was named the Coach and Athlete Magazine Player of the Year and the Eastern College Athletic Conference's Player of the Year. In recognition of his contributions, the university's basketball court was renamed the "Bob Lanier Court" in 2007. Additionally, his jersey number 31 was retired by the university, honoring his outstanding college basketball career.
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Professional basketball career
Robert Jerry Lanier Jr., or Bob Lanier, had a stellar professional basketball career. He played as a center for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over 14 seasons in the NBA, Lanier played in eight NBA All-Star Games and was named the Most Valuable Player in the 1974 game. Notably, he achieved these accomplishments despite suffering from long-term knee problems.
Lanier's career began when he was recruited by St. Bonaventure University, where he played for coach Larry Weise. He made an immediate impact in his sophomore year, standing at 6 ft 10 inches and leading St. Bonaventure to an undefeated regular season (26-0). That year, he averaged 26.2 points and 15.6 rebounds per game. In the 1968 NCAA tournament, he led his team to victory over Boston College, contributing 27 rebounds to the final score of 102-93. Lanier was named to the All-time All-WNY team in 2009, recognising his outstanding performance during his college years.
Lanier went on to be selected by the Detroit Pistons as the first overall pick in the 1970 NBA Draft. In his first season with the Pistons, Lanier averaged 15.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, earning him the NBA All-Rookie First Team honours. He continued to excel in the following seasons, becoming a key player for the Pistons. In 1974, he was named the NBA All-Star Game's Most Valuable Player, solidifying his status as one of the league's top players.
Lanier was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks midway through the 1980–81 season. He played five and a half seasons with the Bucks, consistently performing at a high level. Lanier's impact extended beyond his playing career; he was known for his community involvement and charitable initiatives. This led to his appointment as the NBA's first Cares Ambassador in 1984, a role he held until his retirement. Lanier's jersey number, 16, was retired by both the Pistons and the Bucks, honouring his contributions to both franchises.
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Coaching career
Rob Lanier is an American college basketball coach who currently serves as the head coach for the Rice Owls. He has over 30 years of experience as a collegiate coach.
Lanier played college basketball at St. Bonaventure, where he scored 868 career points and was named to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Freshman Team. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Niagara, before moving on to Rutgers and then Texas, where he worked under Rick Barnes. In 2001, he landed his first head coaching job at Siena College. In his first season at the helm, he guided the Saints to a MAAC conference tournament championship and a spot in the 2002 NCAA tournament, where they defeated Alcorn State in the opening round. The following season, Lanier led Siena to a 21-11 record, earning a bid to the NIT.
Lanier then served as the head coach at Georgia State from 2019 to 2022, where he went 53-30 in three seasons. On March 27, 2022, he accepted the head coach position at Southern Methodist University (SMU). However, SMU fired Lanier on March 21, 2024. Several days later, he was hired by Rice University.
Lanier's coaching career has been influenced by his cousin, Bob Lanier, a former NBA player and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Lanier's son, Emory, also plays basketball for SMU.
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Awards and honours
Robert Jerry Lanier Jr., commonly known as Bob Lanier, had a stellar career in the NBA. Despite his struggles with knee injuries, he achieved numerous awards and honours throughout his career.
Lanier earned All-Western New York State honours in his senior year at Bennett High School, where he averaged 25.0 points. He then went on to play college basketball for St. Bonaventure University, leading them to the 1970 NCAA Final Four. During his time at St. Bonaventure, he earned Second Team All-America recognition twice and First Team All-America status once. He also set school records for scoring (27.6 ppg) and rebounding (15.7 rpg).
Lanier was drafted as the number one choice by the Detroit Pistons in 1970 and was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team in the 1970-71 season. Over his 14-year career in the NBA, he played in eight NBA All-Star Games and was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1974 game. His jersey number 16 was retired by both the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks, and his number 31 jersey was retired by St. Bonaventure University.
In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Lanier was recognised for his community service and dedication to improving the lives of young people. In 1978, he received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, and in 1981, the YMCA presented him with the "Jackie Robinson Award" for his service to youth, good citizenship, and leadership. Lanier was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992, and in 2000, he received the Congressional "Horizon & Leadership Award". The basketball court at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure, was named the "Bob Lanier Court" in his honour in 2007. In 2009, he was co-recipient of "The Mannie Jackson – Basketball's Human Spirit Award", recognising his passion for the game and continued commitment to community service.
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Frequently asked questions
Robert Jerry Lanier Jr.
Will Lanier played as a center.
Will Lanier played for the Detroit Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Will Lanier wore the No. 16 jersey for the Pistons and the Bucks, and No. 31 for St. Bonaventure University, where he played college basketball.
