Biography

Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. (September 10, 1948 – May 10, 2022) was an American professional basketball player. He was drafted first overall in the 1970 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons out of St. Bonaventure University. In total, Lanier played center for 14 seasons in the NBA with the Pistons and the Milwaukee Bucks, and he was an eight time All-Star. Both franchises went on to retire his jersey #16. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.