Lawrence T. Cannon (April 12, 1947 – May 29, 2024) was an American basketball player. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Cannon was selected in the first round of the 1969 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls with the fifth overall pick. Cannon was an American Basketball Association All-Star, who averaged 16.6 points per game in his ABA/NBA career after his All-American career at La Salle University. Cannon was forced to retire from basketball due to a chronic medical condition, phlebitis in his legs. Cannon died on May 29, 2024, at the age of 77.[1]
At Abraham Lincoln High School in Philadelphia, Cannon set scoring records that still stand. Cannon scored more total points all-time than any Philadelphia high school player except Wilt Chamberlain. In 1965 Cannon shot 21-for-47 to score 49 points, 34 in the second half, to set a Public League and city-leagues postseason record as Lincoln defeated Roxborough High School 84–78.[2]
La Salle University finished 23–1 in 1968–1969, as Cannon led the team with 140 assists and was second in rebounds (147). Cannon averaged 19.1 points per game during his three seasons, accumulating a total of 1,430 points, and was named to All-American teams.[4]
As a sophomore in 1966–1967, Cannon averaged 18.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists as LaSalle finished 14–12 under Coach Joseph Heyer.[5][6]
LaSalle finished 20–8 under Coach Jim Hardin in 1967–1968, as Cannon averaged 19.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his junior year.[7]
Under Coach Tom Gola in his senior year, Cannon averaged 19.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists and received second-team All-America recognition. La Salle was not permitted to enter the NCAA basketball tournament in Cannon's senior year, despite being ranked #2 in the nation behind UCLA, due to recruiting violations by the school. Over his final two seasons LaSalle was 43–9, with a 15–0 record in the Middle Atlantic Conference.[8][9]
In 75 career games at LaSalle, Cannon averaged 19.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists, with 1430 total points.[5]
As a rookie in 1969–1970, Cannon averaged 11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists with the Floridians, who finished 23–61 under coaches Jim Pollard (5–15) and Harold Blitman (18–46).[10]
Cannon lead the Denver Rockets (ABA) with 26.6 points per game during the 1970–1971 season.[11][12]
In 1970–1971, playing for Joe Belmont (3–10) and Stan Albeck (27–44), Cannon played in 80 games, averaging 26.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He made the All-ABA Second team. The 1st Team was: Rick Barry, Roger Brown, Mack Calvin, Mel Daniels and Charlie Scott. The 2nd Team was Zelmo Beaty, John Brisker, Joe Caldwell, Cannon, Donnie Freeman and Dan Issel. It was the only full and healthy season of Cannon's professional career.[12][11]
In 1971–1972, Cannon played for the Indiana Pacers, averaging 6.6 points, 2.6 assists and 1.7 rebounds, as the Pacers defeated the New York Nets with Rick Barry 4–2 in the ABA Finals to capture the ABA Championship.[13][11]
In his career, Cannon played for the Miami Floridians (1969–70), Denver Rockets (1970–71), Memphis Pros (1971–72), Indiana Pacers (1971–72, 1973–74) in the ABA for 194 games and Philadelphia 76ers (1973–74) in the NBA for 19 games. Overall, in his ABA/NBA career, Cannon averaged 16.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 213 career games.[11]
Cannon was forced to retire due to phlebitis in his legs.[14]
