Well, they are half right, as he did accumulate a net worth of $10 million which may sound huge, but it is precisely halfway from what he used to be worth. However, her former ex-husband Christian has a net worth of $10 million as of 2021. What does Christian Laettner do now? He is now 52 years old. Then you know why they do it. When everything was said and done, Christian Laettner played 868 NBA games over 13 seasons and averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per night. [4] He was particularly resented for stepping on the chest of Kentucky player Aminu Timberlake during the 1992 regional final, which the referees deemed a technical foul; Laettner expressed regret for his misconduct but believed that ejection would have been too harsh a consequence. In his sophomore season, the big man averaged 16.3 points and 9.6 rebounds as a sophomore; the next season, he scored almost 20 points per night as the Blue Devils captured their first NCAA title in program history. USATSI. Now, her children have grown up nicely and are getting successful in their lives. He ended up as a part of the 1992 USA Olympic Basketball team, A.K.A. Based on his success in college, Christian Laettner seemed like a cant miss NBA prospect. basketball championships, was a member of the Dream Team at the Barcelona Olympics and played in the N.B.A. [6], Despite his achievements, Laettner's NBA career was characterized by relative transience. Duke and Coach K defeated Michigan in the title game for their second-consecutive championship. Christian Laettner Duke Signed/Autographed 11x14 w/ Coach K Photo PSA/DNA 167269. He was also a three-time All-ACC selectee and won two national championships. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. However, Christian has not disclosed to the media the explanation for his partition. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. Laettner has other legal problems down in Florida. She is originally from Mound, Minnesota, and has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Issues related to race, class and even sexual orientation serve as vital plot points in the new ESPN 30 for 30 film "I hate Christian Laettner.". Meanwhile, many people are wondering where he will be today in 2022. if youre not in it @PrimeSport ncaa experience party @The last four youre missing some fun pic.twitter.com/cbPTnFmCPc, Christian Laettner (@laettnerbball) April 1, 2017. He then joined Billy Donovans coaching staff at Marshall, and followed him to Florida. While his numbers werent eye-popping as a freshman, Laettner developed into a legitimate star. With the Blue Devils, Laettner earned a plethora of accolades, including winning both the Wooden and Naismith awards and earning All-American honors. He also launched an effort to turn around a struggling high school basketball team on a television series aired on the Olympic Channel. Christian Laettner grew up in Buffalo, New York, and put himself on the map as a star basketball player at Nichols School. Mashburn enjoyed a prolific NBA career that lasted twelve seasons before his retirement in 2005. It is very challenging, but it is a lot of fun. This camp is open for 1st 12th grades, girls and boys! He played for some awful teams and never developed into an NBA star by any stretch, but he did put the ball in the basket a lot better than most would ever remember. But its been nearly15 years since the former forward hit the hardwood. Don't miss a story! Where is the 1992 NCAA Blue Devils superstar now? Fathers name is Not Available. Niemanns version, as told in an affidavit, contains several tidbits about the breakup. In addition, his group placed third in the 1990 World Championship in Argentina, where his group won the gold decoration of the FIBA Americas Championship in 1992 in Portland. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'liverampup_com-box-3','ezslot_10',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-liverampup_com-box-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'liverampup_com-box-3','ezslot_11',179,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-liverampup_com-box-3-0_1');.box-3-multi-179{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Former star NBA player Christian Laettner is best known for his buzzer-beater, which earned him a name and was hated in an ample form. Christian Donald Laettner (/ l e t n r /, LAYT-nr; born August 17, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player. Christian Laettner (@laettnerbball) April 1, 2017 Specifically, he now resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where he is a keen muskellunge fisherman to this day. What did Christian Laettner average? The documentary is about much more than . Laettner declined to be interviewed. Since 2011 he has operated numerous youth basketball training camps. Laettner now lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and spends most of his time fishing. For a minute there, Duke was all right. The repayment deal reached by Mr . Where is Christian Laettner now? . Check that, Christian Laettner was all right. It examines the love/hate relationship towards Duke University basketball player Christian Laettner, and explores five factors which the film-makers believe explain the widespread and persistent hatred: privilege, race, bullying, greatness, and physical appearance. Outside of basketball, Laettner has been less successful; he started a real estate business with former Duke teammate Brian Davis named Blue Devil Ventures that was ultimately unsuccessful and caused many legal issues, including Laettner suing the company he founded. As a matter of fact, Chris stayed at his brother's apartment in Durham while . Maybe it comes from having a couple relatives who are dyed-in-the-wool Tar Heels; a week ago, I watched Carolina's Sweet 16 win with a UNC-graduate uncle who barely blinked for two hours. Christian Laettner was selected third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. As the lawsuit puts it: The practical effect was to wipe out any chance of repayment of the capital accounts of BDV III and to insure that Laettner and Britton were paid more than what they were actually owed.. Farmer was a part of the four Kentucky starters dubbed the Unforgettables after their decision to stick by the school following Suttons recruiting scandal. I still tell my wife that we can have more. Following his basketball career, Hurley became a thoroughbred horse owner and breeder, but his stables were foreclosed in 2010. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved, including Laettner suing the company he founded, a part of the ownership group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks, Wagner Colleges coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2010, including $2.5 million from Scottie Pippen, after he was bought out as a minority owner in the MLS club D.C. United with Laettner, Sunbelt Conference Director of Championships, most recently coaching varsity basketball at Avenues: The World School in New York City., former coach Eddie Sutton was involved in a major recruiting scandal, Farmer was charged with 42 ethics violations and five federal indictments for abuse of power for his misappropriation of funds during his time as Commissioner of Agriculture, a high school basketball coach in Richmond and co-owns a nine-hole golf course, but resigned following allegations of player abuse, including two who filed misdemeanor abuse charges, including 34 Outback Steakhouses and 37 Papa Johns franchises. For those who remember where they were 17 years ago today and think, I wonder what happened to all of those guys, we have those answers. NBA Player's Dating Life:-Daniel Gibson Girlfriend, Gay, Married, Age. 5 Where was Christian Laettner born and raised in New York? Hes a central member of CBS top college basketball announcing crew, and will be announcing his fifth Final Four this year. He was solid enough but didnt exactly mold of a 1990s big man, who was expected to bang on the low block; if anything, he might have fared better in todays NBA, where could stretch the floor more easily. TABLE OF CONTENTS. He is currently the head coach of the Southern University Jaguars. In 2013, Farmer was charged with 42 ethics violations and five federal indictments for abuse of power for his misappropriation of funds during his time as Commissioner of Agriculture. The entity consisted of Laettner, Davis, Niemann Capital, Heinz, Julie Britton (Ghavamis wife), and RBell Holdings. Christian and his wife have been for a long time, and they have three children. Currently, the former NCAA superstar also . Then Laettner and Britton personally sued BDV IIItheir own companyover loans they claimed it hadnt paid back to them. The ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled, "I Hate Christian Laettner" chronicles Duke basketball standout player, Christian Laettner. They are in relation from previous few years of a strong relationship. He went on to . (Source: Facebook). Carolina, of course, is no underdog in any classic sense of the word. Maybe it comes from rooting for a mid-major as a kid: Jacksonville University, which played on a Duke-like level for only one brief span in history when Artis Gilmore patrolled the paint for the mighty JU Dolphins in 1970. The man behind the plate was Chris Laettner, and he's the older brother of Duke basketball star Christian Laettner. Although the Christian Laettner NBA career did not reach the expected heights following a stellar time in the NCAA, the 50-year-old has kept a low profile since. Pelphrey headed back to Florida under Donovan, but following Donovans departure to the NBA, Pelphrey was picked up by Avery Johnson to coach at Alabama. [4] They have pursued several business ventures together, including real-estate development in Durham,[19] a Major League Soccer team,[20] and an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the Memphis Grizzlies. CLBA has teamed up with Yorkville Christian High School to bring you a ONE DAY ONLY Basketball Clinic! Also, we have no idea about his brother and sister, and we dont know their names either. However, the Christian Laettner NBA career failed to reach the same statistical heights after spending four seasons in Minnesota. Lisa Thibault was born on February 2nd in Mound, Minnesota, USA. That was the '92 Duke/UK game with "the Laettner shot" frick that motherfricker. 3 overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1994 draft. The third player that made up the Unforgettables, Pelphrey never strayed from what he knew best. They defeated Michigan's Fab 5 in the championship game to win the national title, becoming the first repeat champions since UCLA in 1972-73. He then moved back to Kentucky, where he is now a high school basketball coach in Richmond and co-owns a nine-hole golf course. Laettner was then infamously selected to the Dream Team ahead of the 1992 Olympics, taking the spot many thought was going to Shaquille O'Neal. [4][9][10] Over the course of the game, he shot a perfect ten of ten field goals and ten of ten free throws for 31 points. Lisa Thibault is well-known for being the ex-wife of Christian Laettner, a retired American basketball player. Since then, hes won the tournament five times, became the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history, and won three Olympic gold medals as Team USAs head coach. [14], Drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves,[g] Laettner played 13 years in the NBA, from 1992 to 2005, scoring 11,121 points and grabbing 5,806 rebounds. for 13 seasons. The topic of America's hatred of Laettner is explored in great detail in a 30 for 30 that debuted in 2015 aptly titled I Hate Christian Laettner. With Rob Lowe, Christian Laettner, Dick Vitale, Mike Krzyzewski. His college career for the Duke Blue Devils is widely regarded as one of the best in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. Tweet with a location. The shark in Christian Laettner's living room is now about the size of one of his forearms. We have done the Adele song on the piano. In his senior campaign, he managed to take things even further, knocking down one of the biggest shots in sports history en route to a second consecutive National Championship. Laettner and former college teammate Brian Davis staged an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006. Somewhat paradoxically, in examining five specific qualities that made him so hateablewhite, privileged, handsome, a bully, one of the greatest college basketball players of all timethe film ultimately succeeds in humanizing Laettner. Im kicking myself that we dont have more kids. That stretch followed them into Barcelona . The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed, selecting the forward third overall in the 1992 NBA draft; the only players taken before him were Shaquille ONeal and Alonzo Mourning. Another director, Peter Ghavami, as well as Gary Heinz (who worked under them), signed on to help finance the second phase. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()), Andreas Seppi Wife Michela Bernardi Wiki, Biography, Age, Spouse, Net Worth, Fast Facts. Laettner won a $10 million judgment. Moving on to Lis Thaiults academic ability, she went to Westonka High School where she earned her four-year college education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Christian Laettner was born and raised in Angola, New York (near Buffalo and Niagara Falls) to a blue-collar Roman Catholic family. He went to the Nichols School and received a scholarship to pay his academic fee. There have been rumors about him and his wife getting a divorce. ', here is the answer: Yorkville, IL and Surrounding Areas! Nowadays, Pitino is in the news for all of the wrong reasons; after heading the Louisville program for 16 years, Pitino was implicated in his own recruiting scandal, and was suspended in 2017 for allowing assistant coaches to hire prostitutes for potential recruits, and later fired after a federal investigation named him in a case concerning Adidas paying a recruit $100,000 to come play for Louisville. His family was financially weak, and hence he had to do janitorial work for an earning. < What happened to Christian Laettner? Bonnie liked Marlon Brando so much that even though she had named her first-born Christopher, she went with Christian on the birth certificate for her next boy in tribute to the characters Brando played in Mutiny on the Bounty and The Young Lions. Records also show his wife filed for divorce in August. He was named to the All-Rookie team after averaging 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds in his debut campaign. Talking about I Hate Christian Laettner, it is an ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries directed by Rory Karpf. To my knowledge, a meeting of BDV III was never convened to consider granting multi-million-dollar consent judgments to other members/managers of BDV III, he says. For a minute there, Duke was all right. Christian Laettner Sued His Own Business for $10 Million. For his career, Laettner averaged 16.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while making almost half of his three-pointers. The group eventually won gold setting an Olympic record in the competition. He hit that ridiculous shot in the 1992 NCAA tournament to defeat Kentucky. You want them to listen. Further, he was the prominent player on the Duke-National Championship teams of 1991 and 1992, where he became the NCCA player of the year in his senior year. So, where is Christian Laettner now? ", As a freshman, Laettner received his first recruiting letter, from nearby. His Girlfriend/boyfriends name is Not Available. "Laettner, Davis Give $2 Million to Legacy Fund, New Athletic Facility", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christian_Laettner&oldid=1139096740, Tournament of the Americas silver medal winner (, College Basketball Hall of Fame (class of 2010), National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame (class of 2008), Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 10:07. They attempted, without Niemanns help, to put together projects like the West Village in other cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia. [h], According to Wojciechowski, "He was, in all probability, the poorest student at the school and almost certainly the only one whose parents ordered his clothes from the Sears catalog, which was the one place they could find pants that fit his growing frame. A documentary was released titled I Hate Christian Laettner and he was voted the most hated player in college basketball history. Meanwhile, certain individuals continue to wonder if Christian Laettner is gay, where there is no reality to this suspicion. 20. ALSO READ:Michael Jordan Return To NBA: Throwback To The Iconic 'I'm Back' Fax On March 19, 1995. Manage Settings Laettner then started bouncing around the league, spending time in Atlanta, Detroit, Washington, Dallas, and Miami. None. ALSO READ:How To Get Free NBA League Pass? re: Most Hated: Christian Laettner or Brandon Miller Posted on 2/22/23 at 11:29 pm to TexasTiger08. > https://t.co/BU4uz3p77P pic.twitter.com/le7Zd1XLy2. He then led Duke to its first championship, defeating Kansas in the final, and was selected as the tournament's most outstanding player. Christian Laettner was born and raised in Angola, New York (near Buffalo and Niagara Falls) to a blue-collar Roman Catholic family. Another member of the Unforgettables, Feldhaus played in Japan for five years after his college career ended with Laettners shot. In 2016, he was sued for $14.05 by the creditors. Christian Donald Laettner ( / letnr /, LAYT-nr; born August 17, 1969) is a retired American basketball player whose Hall of Fame career for the Duke Blue Devils is widely regarded as one of the best in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. Down 103-102 in overtime against Kentucky with a . The Dream Team, and was drafted third overall in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his NCAA career, Laettner established himself as one of college basketballs best, and most hated, players. I love being a father. I have three healthy and beautiful children. As a member of the Dream Team, Laettner is enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and FIBA Hall of Fame, while he is enshrined for his individual career in the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Christian Laettner 1992-93 Upper Deck McDonalds Future Force Card #P45 Minnesota at the best online prices at eBay! He would then take over at Moorehead State, but resigned following allegations of player abuse, including two who filed misdemeanor abuse charges. As mentioned previously, Davis teamed up with Laettner for several business projects, including their failed real estate business, and was at the head of an attempt to buy the Memphis Grizzlies with Laettner; their offer eventually fell apart and the duo had trouble paying back the loans they made for the offer, including $2.5 million from Scottie Pippen. Exclusive Details. The Christian Laettner NBA career then bounced around the league as he spent time in Atlanta, Detroit, Washington, Dallas, as well as Miami. When I went to work with Garinger, they were good kids and a very good team. About Christian Laettner's career. You have some of the greatest players from the 1990s all on one team. Stay tuned for more on Christian Laettner. Blue Devil Ventures converted those properties into the West Village: 241 residential units and 36,000 square feet of commercial space. Recently, Christian Laettner came to the limelight appearing in the ESPN documentary I Hate Christian Laettner. Christian Laettner averaged 12.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. Niemann and Heinzs suit asks for a voiding of Laettner and Brittons judgments and a preliminary injunction on distribution of the money. [f] In 2006 The Best Damn Sports Show Period ranked it the fifth most memorable moment in sports history. Laettner spent over three seasons in Minnesota before he was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in 1995-96. We cant say their name. He was the star of Dukes first national championship in 1991, but after The Shot,everyoneknew who he was. An American-born former professional basketball player, Christian Laettner's real name is Christian Donald Laettner. This camp is open for 1st - 12th grades, girls and boys! The mothers name is Not Available. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'liverampup_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',630,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-liverampup_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Christian in one of his academy camps. The only real difference is his resume. Down 103-102 in overtime against Kentucky with a Final Four appearance on the line, Grant Hill heaved a pass from the baseline to the opposing free-throw line, where Laettner caught it, faked right, dribbled, and sank the turnaround jumper as time expired. I play the piano too. Christian Laettner is known for many things. The A.V. [3], Laettner attended the private Nichols School; although he received a financial aid package that paid a substantial part of his tuition, his family had to sacrifice to send him there, and he also did janitorial work at the school to defray some of the cost. His father George was of Polish descent and his grandparents spoke Polish as their first language. That was the first phase. He served as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G-League. It was the night of the 2015 premiere of the ESPN "30 for 30" documentary, "I Hate Christian Laettner . 36. Drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves, Laettner played 13 years in the NBA, from 1992 to 2005, scoring 11,121 points and grabbing 5,806 rebounds. Laettners shot would push him into the public eye in a way few college players had been before. Masburn stayed at Kentucky for one more year after the heartbreaking loss to Laettner before declaring for the NBA draft, and was selected at fourth overall by the Dallas Mavericks. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Christian Laettner replied to my tweet, Coach K is retiring, but I can't root for Duke, Why Alabama football's Brian Robinson is a disappearing breed | Goodbread. Laettner finished with 31 points and 7 rebounds, shooting a perfect 10-for-10 from both the field and charity stripe.. CBS' Verne Lundquist delivered the all-time call. Whether as a winner in college or a loser in the NBA, Christian Laettner, the Minnesota Timberwolves' much-maligned forward, has always been his own man. April 23, 1943 - Nov. 26, 2017 Bonnie Laettner, mother of basketball great Christian Laettner, became a celebrity in her own right during the height of her son's stellar career Laettner maintains a close friendship with Duke teammate Brian Davis. The same goes for Coach K and his Duke Blue Devils, but, in their ranks, one man stands alone: Christian Laettner. We have no more information about his spouse. Former Duke Blue Devilsstar Christian Laettner is one of the most polarizing college basketballplayers of all time. West Village is an undeniable success story in downtown Durhamjust not for the people who dreamed it up. Based on his success in college, Christian Laettner seemed like a can't miss NBA prospect. [4] Both boys also frequently worked as farm laborers to supplement their allowance. Explore:-Jordan Bell Girlfriend, Age, Parents, Net Worth. He averaged 4.8 points per game. Davis knew an investment banker named Rhahime Bell, a managing director at Paine Webber. Christian Laettner. Now in my opinion, they should call it "The Pass," because The Shot, by Christian Laettner, is a turnaround jump shot from the top of the key that, sure, is a cool shot, and it's clutch, and it's . Why has he been disliked for so long? Records also show his wife filed for divorce in August. He may never get an NBA ring, but Laettner can now add his ABA ring to his NCAA titles and 1992 Olympic Gold Medal. SABAN 15: Celebrate Nick Saban's 15 epic seasons at Alabama football with our special book! Christian Laettner was born on August 17, 1969 in Angola, New York, USA as Christian Donald Laettner. [b] During his career he scored over 2,000 points, breaking the school record set by teammate Ron Torgalski,[5] and the team won two state titles and reached another semifinal. Christian Laettner is still around basketball these days, but he's kept a fairly low profile. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. [2] He is particularly famous for his game-winning shot against Kentucky in the 1992 tournament and for the hatred he received from opposing fans. Their children are currently living with Lisa. To do so would have been an awkward detour out of the exciting and accessible world of sports into the abstruse domain of real estate development and finance. He was born in Angola, New York, United States. We really like Radiohead. He currently lives near Jacksonville, Florida, and has moved on from his basketball-playing days. Even more images together with information on the modern Winnipeg christian laettner what did he do Aircraft trade clothes below You can find simply 18 christian laettner kicks aminu timberlake items of primary skill found, then when these types of sixteen are [] A lot of that "hate" stemmed from his talent level and also a few things that he said and did as a player in his young 20's. "I . 32 jersey later that year. At the time, I rationalized it easily The Tuscaloosa News hadnt sent me all the way to Durham, N.C., to miss warm-ups. $3.00. Fans Get Access To The NBA League Pass Till April 22, LeBron James Is Keeping I Promise School Open Despite Govt Order On Coronavirus Outbreak, LeBron James Sued For $150,000 After Using Copyright Content Without Permission: Report, Michael Jordan Return To NBA: Throwback To The Iconic 'I'm Back' Fax On March 19, 1995. Eventually, he says, creditors began to recognize the West Village for what it was: the only real asset Laettner and Davis had. 1999-00 Skybox NBA Hoops Decade Hoopla Plus Christian Laettner #17 | Sports Mem, Cards & Fan Shop, Sports Trading Cards, Trading Card Singles | eBay! The former Duke Blue Devils player is well remembered for his iconic game-winning shot against Kentucky in the 1992 regional final and . George Laettner, an employee at the Buffalo News for the past three decades, began the family sports tradition as a high-school sports star and for two decades was a volunteer basketball and . The best of INDY Weeks fiercely independent journalism about the Triangle delivered straight to your inbox. Laettner attended Duke University and played for the basketball team from 1988 to 1992 under coach Mike Krzyzewski. Duke University basketball legend Christian Laettner has reached a repayment deal that his lawyer said should bring a decade of financial troubles to a close. Christian Laettner Net Worth: Christian Laettner is a retired American basketball player and entrepreneur with a net worth of $10 million. A documentary was released titled I Hate Christian Laettner and he was voted the most hated player in college basketball history. As a member of the "Dream Team", Laettner is enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and FIBA Hall of Fame, while he is enshrined for his individual career in the College Basketball Hall of Fame. Laettner now lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and spends most of his time fishing. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), State Education Board Rejects Proposed Wake Charter for Second Time in Two Months, Selina Mack, Longtime Director of Durham Community Land Trust, Retires, The End of an Era for Durhams Diner Around the Corner, Durham DAs Office Releases Results of One-Year Plea Tracker Project, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. While his popularity soared during his time in the NCAA, he failed to live up to lofty expectations as an NBA player. If youre a New York Yankees fan, for example, you love the team; if youre not, you probably hate them with a passion. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Shaq was believed to be the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, but the selection committee decided to go with Laettner, a prolific player during his college career. He was on the receiving end of Laettners shot in 1992, but would eventually lead Kentucky to a national championship in 1996.