Wendell Ladner
Encyclopedia
Wendell Ladner was an American
professional basketball
player. He played college basketball
at The University of Southern Mississippi
where he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity
.
Ladner, who was born in Necaise Crossing, Hancock County, Mississippi
and played high school ball at Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Mississippi
, played five seasons with five different teams in the ABA, from 1970-71 to 1974-75. A 6'5" (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) forward, Ladner was one of the great "enforcers" of the American Basketball Association
, protecting Dan Issel
of the Kentucky Colonels
and Julius Erving
of the New York Nets
. He was named to the 1971 ABA All-Rookie team.
Ladner died at the age of 26 in the June 24, 1975 crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 66
, in New York City
. He was identified by medical examiners because he was wearing his ABA Championship ring. He is one of only six players to have his number retired from the New York/New Jersey Nets
. His number, however, does not hang in the rafters with the other retired numbers. His number was also given to Rick Mahorn
during his tenure with the Nets.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He played college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, informally known as Southern Miss, is a large public research university located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States. It is situated north of Gulfport, Mississippi and northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana...
where he became a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
.
Ladner, who was born in Necaise Crossing, Hancock County, Mississippi
Hancock County, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,967 people, 16,897 households, and 11,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile . There were 21,072 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
and played high school ball at Hancock North Central High School in Kiln, Mississippi
Kiln, Mississippi
Kiln is a census-designated place in Hancock County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Gulfport–Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, played five seasons with five different teams in the ABA, from 1970-71 to 1974-75. A 6'5" (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) forward, Ladner was one of the great "enforcers" of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
, protecting Dan Issel
Dan Issel
Daniel Paul Issel is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player and coach.-Collegiate playing career:...
of the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
and Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
of the New York Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. He was named to the 1971 ABA All-Rookie team.
Ladner died at the age of 26 in the June 24, 1975 crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 66
Eastern Air Lines Flight 66
Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, a Boeing 727-225 with registration number N8845E, departed from New Orleans Moisant Field, bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport on the afternoon of June 24, 1975. The aircraft carried 124 persons, including 116 passengers and 8 crew.As the aircraft was on its...
, in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was identified by medical examiners because he was wearing his ABA Championship ring. He is one of only six players to have his number retired from the New York/New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. His number, however, does not hang in the rafters with the other retired numbers. His number was also given to Rick Mahorn
Rick Mahorn
Derrick Allen Mahorn is a retired American NBA basketball player who, at 6'10", played power forward and center...
during his tenure with the Nets.
External links
- ABA stats @ basketballreference.com