Rudy LaRusso

Anton Rudolph " Rudy " LaRusso ( born November 11, 1937 in New York City; † 10 July 2004 in Los Angeles ) was an American basketball player for the Minneapolis Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers and San Francisco Warriors in the National Basketball Association. The 2.00 meter tall LaRusso played the role of winger ( "Forward" ). LaRusso is considered one of the most successful Jewish NBA player and was inducted into the Jewish Basketball Hall of Fame.

Career

After LaRusso had seen in the youth leagues ( " Ivy League " ) in New York sensation, he was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1959 in 12th place. After the Lakers moved to Los Angeles in 1960, LaRusso played the lead time of his career in LA and established itself as the third-best player behind the Lakers superstars Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. He played in five All-Star games and scored an average of 14 points and 10 rebounds. With him LA erected several times the NBA Finals but lost always against the Boston Celtics. In 1967 he was traded to the San Francisco Warriors, scoring in the autumn of his career as head of his new team 20 points per game. After the 1969 season, he stepped from the age of 32 years.

Personal

LaRusso was married to Roslyn and had a son, Corey. As the son of a Jewish mother LaRusso together with Dolph Schayes, Max Zaslofsky and Red Auerbach was one of four Jews who made a splash in the NBA. After his NBA career, he worked successfully as a player agent and investment bankers. LaRusso died at 66 years from Parkinson 's disease.