Larry Nance Jr. drafted in first round by Lakers

The University of Wyoming’s own Larry Nance Jr. heard his name called this year at the 2015 NBA Draft on June 25 as the 27th pick of the first round. He is the first person to get called at the Draft from Wyoming in 20 years. It was a proud moment for Wyoming fans as they were ecstatic to hear his name called in the Draft. Nance Jr. will be number seven on his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

He is following his father’s footsteps, as Larry Nance, Sr. was also drafted into the NBA back in 1981. Nance Jr. was asked what his father said upon his draft selection, “He called me the enemy because he played for the Suns and him and the Lakers used to have good games.”

Nance Jr. worked out with multiple teams and attended the NBA Draft Combine this year in hopes of furthering his basketball career. In March, at the end of his senior year at the University of Wyoming, Nance Jr. assisted the men’s basketball team in becoming the Mountain West Conference Champions.

When asked what the moment was like when he heard his name called, Nance Jr. said, “It was insane. Two months ago I didn’t even know if I was going to get my name called; to go through this process with everybody who has helped me so much to where I snuck into the first round hearing my name called playing for probably the greatest franchise in NBA history, it’s a heck of an honor and I’m still pretty speechless over it.”

Nance Jr. did not throw a Draft party, but instead chose to stay at home with his family. He said that his dad was the driving force for his humility. Although there was a handful of squads that Nance Jr. tried out for, he felt that his workout with the Los Angeles Lakers stood out because he tested well athletically and even improved his numbers from the Combine. “They got to see something that not too many other teams got to see,” Nance Jr. said.

Playing at the University of Wyoming, Larry Nance Jr. has enjoyed a big following on his basketball career from across the entire state, including young Wyoming athletes that look up to and admire him. He has had a big influence on them and even has some advice for their future sporting careers.

“There isn’t a lot of people from Wyoming, but it’s not where you play well,” Nance Jr. said. “It’s all about how and what you do. If you’re good they will find you, just keep that in mind.”