Larry Finch was a professional basketball player and coach from the United States. Larry Finch has played and coached for a variety of teams, including the Memphis Tigers. He also ran for Shelby County Registrar despite having no prior political experience.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Larry Finch |
|---|---|
| Born Date: | 16 Feb 1951 |
| Age: | 60 years (at the time of demise) |
| Horoscope: | Aquarius |
| Lucky Number: | 7 |
| Lucky Stone: | Amethyst |
| Lucky Color: | Turquoise |
| Best Match for Marriage: | Aquarius, Gemini, Sagittarius |
| Death Date: | April 2, 2011 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Profession: | Professional Basketballer, Coach |
| Country: | America |
| Height: | 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) |
| Marital Status: | married |
| Wife | Vicki Finch |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Birth Place | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Education | University of Memphis |
| Kids | Three (daughter: Shanae Finch, sons: James Finch, Larry Finch Jr.) |
Larry Finch Biography
Larry Finch was born in Memphis, Tennessee on February 16, 1951. Larry O. Finch is his full name. Sadly, he died on April 2, 2011, at the age of 60. There is no information available about Larry’s parents or other family members.
He went to Melrose High School before enrolling at the University of Memphis. Larry also played for the University basketball team, and it was during this time that he became famous for his incredible basketball skills. Larry has a connection to the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well. His ethnicity is African-American, and his nationality is American.
Larry Finch Height, Weight
Larry Finch was a basketball player in the NBA. He had a tall build, standing at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m). Similarly, his listed weight is 185 pounds (84 kilograms). Furthermore, he had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.
Larry Finch Wife, Marriage
Larry Finch was married, and his wife’s name is Vicki Finch. The couple had three kids together. Shanae Finch is the daughter, and James Finch and Larry Finch Jr. are the sons. There isn’t much information available about Finch’s marriage and family.
Career
Larry Finch was both a professional basketball player and a coach. He also ran for Shelby County Registrar despite having no prior political experience. Larry Finch was a player at Memphis State from 1970 to 1973, an assistant coach from 1979 to 1986, and the head coach from 1986 to 1998. Larry Finch saw Memphis State compile a brilliant record of over 350 wins during his tenure there.
Larry’s dominance as a player peaked in 1973 when the Tigers advanced to the NCAA Final Four. During his senior year, Larry Finch was named to four All-America teams. He also won the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year award two years in a row. Furthermore, Larry is known as “Mr. Basketball” in the city of Memphis.
Larry Finch was a basketball player at Melrose High School in Memphis’ Orange Mound neighborhood. Later, he attended Memphis State University and played basketball for legendary coach Gene Bartow. Larry’s decision to join the team sparked debate in both the black and white communities of Memphis. It was because of Martin Luther King’s assassination, which had just occurred.
As a result, race relations in Memphis have been strained. And it’s no surprise that few local African-American prep stars were able to don a Tiger uniform at the time. Some advised Larry Finch not to sign with the Tigers, but he was a fan of his hometown team. As a result, it didn’t matter if this was an opportunity to do something more meaningful than play for his local university.
As Larry led the Tigers to new heights of basketball success, Memphisans got a chance to see things in Tiger blue and gray rather than black and white. Finch and Larry Kenon led the Memphis State basketball team to the Final Four in 1972–73, his senior year. He scored 29 points in the championship game but lost to John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins. It was the game in which Bill Walton shot 21 of 22. In addition, he became the first coach in NCAA history to lead his alma mater to the final four.
Larry Finch graduated as the all-time leading scorer in Memphis history, and he is currently the University of Memphis’ second all-time leading scorer. Larry Finch was drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1973. However, he chose to play for the Memphis Tams of the American Basketball Association. Larry Finch was a professional baseball player for two years, spending time with the Tams, Memphis Sounds, Baltimore Hustlers, and Baltimore Claws.
Larry began coaching at Richland Junior High before moving on to Messick High School. Larry then became an assistant coach for his collegiate coach, Gene Bartow, at Alabama-Birmingham in 1977. He eventually returned to his alma mater. LArry’s teams at MSU averaged around twenty wins per year and made eight postseason appearances. In addition, his Tigers reached the NCAA Final Eight in 1991-1992. Larry’s incredible achievements as a player and coach have earned him a special place in the annals of this proud city.
Larry Finch worked as an assistant coach for Dana Kirk at Memphis State in the 1980s. Dana Kirk was forced to resign from Memphis State after breaking NCAA rules and becoming the subject of a criminal investigation. Larry Finch was named head coach in 1986 while requesting and receiving immunity from prosecution in the Kirk trial. He stayed at the school until 1997 when it was renamed the University of Memphis.
Larry Finch also had 10 out of 11 winning seasons, seven 20-win seasons, and six NCAA tournament appearances. He scouted and developed stars such as Elliot Perry, Penny Hardaway, and Lorenzen Wright. Furthermore, Larry’s 1991–92 team, led by Hardaway and David Vaughn, advanced to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight. Many basketball players began to graduate in large numbers during his tenure.
Larry Finch ran for the position of Shelby County Registrar in 1998. However, he was defeated by the incumbent by only 127 votes. Prior to this, he had no government experience. Larry was considered for coaching jobs at Tennessee State, Georgia State, and South Alabama.
