Larry Sanders (basketball)

Sanders did not play basketball in the ninth grade, and the private school he attended did not offer it. However, after he transferred to Port St. Lucie High School, the school's basketball coach, Kareem Rodriguez, saw potential in the then 6'1" Sanders and prevailed on him to play for the team. Sanders grew to 6'4" in his second year and to 6'6" in his third. He would sprout further to 6'9" in his senior year. His production and growth spurt was enough that Rodriguez alerted his friend Tony Pujol, an assistant at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), to watch out for him. He began garnering statewide attention in his junior campaign as he helped Port St. Lucie reach the Class 5A state semifinals. In his senior year, while averaging 18.9 points and 13 rebounds, Sanders led Port St. Lucie (20–8) to the District 13-5A Championship, and was named by the Associated Press to the First Team All-State.{{cite web|url=http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/nov/07/former-jaguar-star-sanders-drawing-raves/|title=Former Jaguar star Larry Sanders getting national attention}} He committed to the VCU Rams when major schools only just started to take interest in him.

At VCU, he was keen to train under its then head coach Anthony Grant, who was known to have tutored standout big men at the University of Florida while he was still an assistant there.{{cite web|url=http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2007/dec/25/no-headline-26tsanders/?print=1|title=Leaps and bounds: Ex-PSL basketball player Larry Sanders growing into role in 1st year at Virginia Commonwealth}} For his first two seasons for VCU, Sanders played 2nd star to guard Eric Maynor. He excelled in that role, utilizing his size and athleticism to disrupt teams defensively. As a sophomore, he helped the Rams into the 2009 NCAA tournament against the UCLA Bruins, but lost 65–64 in the first round of the tournament.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=294000023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220082449/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=294000023|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2024|title=VCU vs. UCLA - Game Recap - March 19, 2009 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} Sanders went on to have a more prominent role in his junior season after Maynor was drafted into the NBA. As a junior Sanders averaged 14.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks, with 53% field-goal accuracy, all statistical team highs, on his way to earning the second of his consecutive CAA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2008–09 and 2009–10.{{cite web|url=https://www.vcuramnation.com/2010/04/larry-sanders-declares-for-nba-draft/|title=Larry Sanders Declares for NBA Draft|date=9 April 2010}}

Larry Sanders announced in April 2010 after his junior year that he was departing VCU early to enter the NBA draft.{{cite web|url=http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_basketball/article/VCUB10_20100409-221808/336248/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412010827/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_basketball/article/VCUB10_20100409-221808/336248/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2010|title=Rams' Sanders will enter NBA draft - Richmond Times-Dispatch|date=12 April 2010}}

Sanders was chosen by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 15th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/roster/bucks_roster_larry_sanders.html|title=Bucks Roster: Larry Sanders|work=NBA.com|access-date=February 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222130211/http://www.nba.com/bucks/roster/bucks_roster_larry_sanders.html|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=dead}} On July 8, 2010, he signed a multi-year, rookie scaled contract with the Bucks. On February 20, 2011, he was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA D-League.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/release/sanders_dleague_110220.html|title=Bucks Assign Sanders to Fort Wayne of D-League|website=Milwaukee Bucks}} On February 26, 2011, he was recalled by the Bucks.

On November 30, 2012, he recorded his only career triple-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks in a loss to Minnesota. He finished the season second in blocks per game behind Serge Ibaka. Sanders also finished third in voting for the NBA Most Improved Player Award, after Paul George and Greivis Vásquez.

File:Larry Sanders dunking.jpg in March 2013]]

On August 20, 2013, Sanders signed a four-year, $44 million contract extension with the Bucks.{{Cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14088 |title=Bucks sign Larry Sanders to contract extension |access-date=2013-08-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222224731/http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14088 |archive-date=2015-02-22 |url-status=dead }}

In December 2013, Sanders was sidelined for 25 games after sustaining a torn ligament in his thumb in a night club altercation.[http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24399243/bucks-gary-neal-asked-larry-sanders-to-try-earning-his-money Bucks' Gary Neal asked Larry Sanders to try earning his money] Sanders was fined for the two municipal citations of disorderly conduct and assault and battery charges, but law enforcement did not pursue further criminal charges.[http://nba.si.com/2013/12/04/police-cite-bucks-larry-sanders-for-nightclub-incident-fight-video-released/ Police cite Bucks’ Larry Sanders for nightclub incident; fight video released] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116124541/http://nba.si.com/2013/12/04/police-cite-bucks-larry-sanders-for-nightclub-incident-fight-video-released/ |date=2014-01-16 }} That same year he was cited twice for animal cruelty for leaving two German shepherd puppies outside without proper food, water, and shelter. [https://www.complex.com/sports/2013/11/larry-sanders-cited-animal-cruelty/ PBucks Player Larry Sanders Was Cited for Animal Cruelty Earlier This Year]

On March 20, 2014, it was announced that Sanders would miss the rest of the 2013–14 season due to a fractured right orbital bone.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/2014/news/03/20/bucks-larry-sanders-out.ap/|title=Bucks center Sanders out for season|website=NBA.com}}

On April 4, 2014, Sanders was given a five-game suspension for violating the NBA's drug policy after testing positive for marijuana.[http://nba.si.com/2014/04/04/larry-sanders-milwaukee-bucks-suspended-drug-program/ Bucks’ Larry Sanders suspended five games for violation of NBA’s Anti-Drug Program] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407044621/http://nba.si.com/2014/04/04/larry-sanders-milwaukee-bucks-suspended-drug-program/ |date=2014-04-07 }}

In December 2014, Sanders was placed on Bucks' inactive roster for personal reasons.{{cite news|last=Silverman|first=Robert|date=6 January 2015|title=If Larry Sanders quits the NBA, he is not wasting his talent|newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2015/jan/06/if-larry-sanders-quits-the-nba-he-is-not-wasting-his-talent|via=www.theguardian.com}} After a seven-game absence, Sanders appeared on the Bucks' bench on January 7, 2015, against the Phoenix Suns, but did not suit up.{{cite web|title=Larry Sanders on Bench but Still Out for 7th Straight Game|website=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/01/06/sports/basketball/ap-bkn-bucks-sanders.html}} Rumors emerged that Sanders wanted to leave the sport, all of which were denied by his agent.

Sanders again violated the NBA's drug policy during the 2014–15 season and was subsequently suspended without pay for a minimum of ten games on January 16, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/2015/news/01/16/bucks-sanders-suspended/|title=Bucks' Sanders suspended minimum of 10 games|first=Official|last=release|website=NBA.com}}

It was announced on February 21, 2015, following his second suspension for marijuana use, that the Bucks were buying out Sanders' contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-request-waivers-larry-sanders|title=Bucks Request Waivers on Larry Sanders|website=Milwaukee Bucks}} On February 25, a video of Sanders was released where he explained that he entered into a program at Rogers Memorial Hospital for anxiety, depression and mood disorders. He said that the program led him to realize "what's important, and where I would want to devote my time and energy" and that ultimately he realized that "for [basketball] to be consuming so much of my life and time right now ... it's not there for me. It's not that worth it." He did, however, claim to still love the game and that "if I get to a point where I feel I'm capable of playing basketball again, then I will."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhnCna8DtEg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/RhnCna8DtEg |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Larry Sanders - Why I Walked Away From the NBA: Players' POV|last=The Players' Tribune|date=25 February 2015|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/12354422|title=Arnovitz: Being Larry Sanders|date=27 February 2015|website=ESPN.com}}

On January 26, 2017, Sanders announced his decision to return to basketball.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hey-now-larry-sanders-says-hes-officially-stepping-back-into-the-game/|title=Hey, now! Larry Sanders says he's 'officially stepping back into the game'|website=CBSSports.com|date=27 January 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/news/larry-sanders-is-officially-stepping-back-into-the-game-two-years-after-walking-away-from-the-nba-170530346.html|title=Larry Sanders is 'officially stepping back into the game' two years after walking away from the NBA|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=27 January 2017 }}

On March 13, 2017, Sanders signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/sanders-signing-2017|title=Cavaliers Sign Larry Sanders|work=NBA.com|date=March 13, 2017|access-date=March 13, 2017}} He made his debut for the Cavaliers the following night in a 128–98 win over the Detroit Pistons. He played the final 1:58 and missed his only shot attempt while recording two fouls.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400900394|title=James has triple-double, Cavs beat Pistons 128-96|work=ESPN.com|date=March 14, 2017|access-date=March 14, 2017}} On April 12, 2017, he was waived by the Cavaliers after appearing in five games.{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/cavaliers/releases/waive-sanders-170412|title=Cavaliers Waive Larry Sanders|work=NBA.com|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=April 12, 2017}} During his stint with Cleveland, he had multiple assignments with the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League.{{cite web|url=http://dleague.nba.com/news/assignments/ |title=2016-17 NBA Assignments |work=NBA.com |access-date=March 19, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906020056/http://dleague.nba.com/news/assignments/ |archive-date=September 6, 2015 }} He reportedly struggled keeping up with responsibilities on and off the court.{{cite web|last=Lloyd|first=Jason|url=https://theathletic.com/52168/2017/04/13/cavs-move-on-from-larry-sanders-after-discovering-how-far-he-was-from-helping-them/|title=Cavs move on from Larry Sanders after discovering how far he was from helping them|work=TheAthletic.com|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=April 14, 2017}} Sanders later played with 3 Headed Monsters in the 2019 Big3 season.

On August 19, 2024, Sanders signed with the Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League (TPBL).{{cite news |title=雲豹簽下前NBA公鹿阻攻王桑德斯 與威廉斯組雙塔 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2800154 |accessdate=August 19, 2024 |work=ETtoday |date=August 19, 2024}} On October 30, the Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards terminated the contract relationship with Sanders.{{cite news|title=NBA「火鍋魔人」失靈！ 雲豹宣布釋出桑德斯 |url=https://sports.ettoday.net/news/2845131|accessdate=October 30, 2024 |work=ETtoday |date=October 30, 2024}}

In his time away from basketball, Sanders created an artist collective, clothing line, and non-profit organization named Citizen of Matter. Sanders also worked as a music producer under the moniker L8 Show. Sanders received a placement on PartyNextDoor's second studio album titled PartyNextDoor 3 on a track titled "Don't Run".{{cite web|url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/3dgd4y/the-continuing-education-of-larry-sanders|title=The Continuing Education of Larry Sanders|first=Mike|last=Piellucci|date=30 August 2016}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | Milwaukee

| 60 || 12 || 14.5|| .433 || - || .560 || 3.0 || .3 || .4 || 1.2 || 4.3

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2011}}

| align="left" | Milwaukee

| 52 || 0 || 12.4 || .457 || .000 || .474 || 3.1 || .6 || .6 || 1.5 || 3.6

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2012}}

| align="left" | Milwaukee

| 71 || 55 || 27.3 || .506 || .000 || .618 || 9.5 || 1.2 || .7 || 2.8 || 9.8

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2013}}

| align="left" | Milwaukee

| 23 || 20 || 25.4 || .469 || .000 || .473 || 7.2 || .8 || .8 || 1.7 || 7.7

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2014}}

| align="left" | Milwaukee

| 27 || 26 || 21.7 || .500 || – || .500 || 6.1 || .9 || 1.0 || 1.4 || 7.3

|-

| align="left" | {{nbay|2016}}

| align="left" | Cleveland

| 5 || 0 || 2.6 || .250 || – || 1.000 || .8 || .0 || .2 || .2 || .8

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 238 || 113 || 19.5 || .480 || .000 || .553 || 5.7 || .7 || .6 || 1.8 || 6.4

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| align="left" | 2013

| align="left" | Milwaukee

| 4 || 4 || 28.3 || .576 || – || .455 || 8.3 || 1.3 || .8 || 1.3 || 10.8

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 4 || 4 || 28.3 || .576 || – || .455 || 8.3 || 1.3 || .8 || 1.3 || 10.8

{{s-end}}

Source{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/gleague/players/s/sandela01d.html|title=Larry Sanders NBA G League stats|website=Basketball Reference|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=21 February 2025}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2011–12

| style="text-align:left;"| Fort Wayne

| 2 || 2 || 27.0 || .368 || .000 || .778 || 10.0 || .5 || 2.0 || 2.5 || 10.5

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

| style="text-align:left;"| Canton

| 4 || 0 || 19.3 || .370 || – || .364 || 8.0 || .8 || .0 || 2.5 || 6.0

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 6 || 2 || 21.8 || .370 || .000 || .550 || 8.7 || .7 || .7 || 2.5 || 7.5

{{S-end}}

• List of people banned or suspended by the NBA

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Larry Sanders (basketball)}}

{{basketballstats|nba=202336|bbr=s/sandela01}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101201152436/http://vcuathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/0910bios/sanders_larry_a33w VCU Rams bio]
• {{facebook|LarrySandersOfficial}}
• {{twitter|larrysanders}}

{{2010 NBA draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanders, Larry}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:American men's 3x3 basketball players

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Florida

Category:Big3 players

Category:Canton Charge players

Category:Centers (basketball)

Category:Cleveland Cavaliers players

Category:Doping cases in basketball

Category:Fort Wayne Mad Ants players

Category:Milwaukee Bucks draft picks

Category:Milwaukee Bucks players

Category:Sportspeople from Port St. Lucie, Florida

Category:Power forwards

Category:Taiwan Professional Basketball League imports

Category:Taoyuan Taiwan Beer Leopards players

Category:VCU Rams men's basketball players