On May 4, 2023, the basketball world was hit with the devastating news of the passing of Lance Blanks. Blanks was a former American professional basketball player, executive, and commentator for ESPN. He was a standout player in college and in the NBA, where he played for the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Blanks was also the general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2010 to 2013. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Lance Blanks and the legacy he leaves behind.
1. Who was Lance Blanks?
Born on September 9, 1966, in Tyler, Texas, Lance Blanks was a former American professional basketball player, executive, and commentator for ESPN. He was known for his impressive skills as a shooting guard, and his talent earned him several accolades throughout his career.
1.1 Early Life and Education
Blanks was a standout player for both the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin during his time as a collegiate athlete. In 1985, he was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Texas. Blanks now holds the record for the highest number of points scored by a player in their first two years at the University of Texas and is the eighth-leading scorer in the school's annals with a total of 1,322 points.
1.2 NBA Career
After college, Blanks was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1990 NBA draft. He played for the Pistons for two seasons before moving on to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves for one season. In addition, Blanks played professionally in Europe for a number of seasons.
1.3 Executive and Commentator Career
After his playing career, Blanks worked for the San Antonio Spurs as the director of scouting for the team. He began his career with the Spurs as a scout in the year 2000 and was elevated to the position of director of scouting in September of 2002. While living in San Antonio, he held the position of television analyst for the Spurs during the 2004-2005 NBA season. Between the years 2010 and 2013, Blanks held the position of general manager for the Phoenix Suns. He later became a commentator for ESPN.
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The Legacy of Lance Blanks
Blanks was widely respected throughout the basketball community for his skills as a player and his knowledge of the game as a commentator and executive. He was a mentor to many young players and executives and his legacy will live on through the impact he had on the sport.
2.1 Hall of Honor
In 2007, Blanks was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor, which is part of the Texas Athletics Department. This was in recognition of his contributions as a player for the University of Texas at Austin.
2.2 The BMW Scoring Machine
During the 1989-1990 basketball season, Blanks and his colleagues Travis Mays and Joey Wright were collectively referred to as the "BMW Scoring Machine." This was in recognition of their impressive scoring abilities on the court.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the sudden passing of Lance Blanks has left the basketball world and his fans in shock and mourning. He was not only a successful player and executive, but also a respected commentator for ESPN. His achievements on and off the court will be remembered and celebrated by many. We may not know the specific cause of his death at this time, but his legacy will continue to live on. Lance Blanks will always be remembered as a true basketball legend.
FAQs:
What were some of Lance Blanks' major achievements in the basketball world? Answer: Lance Blanks was a former American professional basketball player and executive who later became a commentator for ESPN. He played for the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, and also played professionally in Europe. Between 2010 and 2013, Blanks held the position of general manager for the Phoenix Suns.
Was Lance Blanks successful during his time as a collegiate athlete? Answer: Yes, Lance Blanks was a standout player for both the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin during his time as a collegiate athlete. He was named Mr. Basketball for the state of Texas in 1985.
What was Lance Blanks' nickname during the 1989-1990 basketball season? Answer: During the 1989-1990 basketball season, Lance Blanks and his colleagues Travis Mays and Joey Wright were collectively referred to as the "BMW Scoring Machine."
What is Lance Blanks' record at the University of Texas? Answer: Lance Blanks now holds the record for the highest number of points scored by a player in their first two years at the University of Texas and is the eighth-leading scorer in the school's annals with a total of 1,322 points. He finished his career at Texas as the school's all-time leader in steals and is currently in fourth place in the career scoring average with a score of 20.0 points per game.
What other roles did Lance Blanks hold in the basketball world besides playing and coaching? Answer: Before taking the position with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lance Blanks worked for the San Antonio Spurs as the director of scouting for the team. He began his career with the Spurs as a scout in the year 2000 and was elevated to the position of director of scouting in September of 2002. While Blanks was living in San Antonio, he held the position of television analyst for the Spurs during the 2004-2005 NBA season.
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