Larry Kenon (1988) - M Club Hall of Fame - University of Memphis Athletics

Larry Kenon

Induction:
1988

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Larry Kenon joined the Memphis State Tiger basketball team in the fall of 1972 and used his talents to help propel the team to the National Championship game against UCLA in 1973. A junior college transfer from Amarillo (TX) Junior College, the JC All-American averaged 27.6 points and 25.1 rebounds per game and set single game school records with 53 points and 37 rebounds at Amarillo. Joining with Tiger greats Larry Finch and Ronnie Robinson, Kenon helped the Tigers to their first Final Four and National Championship game in school history. He averaged 20.1 points per game in ‘72-73 and grabbed 501 rebounds. Memphis had a record of 25-6 and won the Missouri Valley Conference to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Kenon scored 34 points and had 20 rebounds in the Tigers opening round win over South Carolina. He tallied 14 points in the win over Kansas State to advance Memphis State to the Final Four. His 28 points and 22 rebounds helped the Tigers defeat Providence in the semifinals. Kenon totaled 20 points in the UCLA game despite being in early foul trouble. He left Memphis after his junior year and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons but he signed with the New York Nets of the ABA. He averaged 15.9 points and 11.5 rebounds as a rookie and along with Julius Erving, helped the Nets win the ABA Championship in 1974. He was an ABA All-Star for three years. Kenon played professional basketball for 11 years with the Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.