- Wendell Ladner
Wendell Ladner (
October 6 1948 –June 24 1975 ) was an American professionalbasketball player. He playedcollege basketball atThe University of Southern Mississippi where he beceme a member ofPhi Kappa Tau fraternity .Ladner, who was born in Necaise Crossing,
Hancock County, Mississippi , spent five seasons with five different teams in the ABA, from 1970-71 to 1974-75. A 6'5" (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) forward, Ladner was one of the great "enforcers" of theAmerican Basketball Association , protectingDan Issel of theKentucky Colonels andJulius Erving of the New York Nets.Ladner died at the age of 26 in the June 24, 1975 crash of
Eastern Air Lines Flight 66 , inNew York City . He is one of only six players to have his number retired from the New York/New Jersey Nets. [http://www.nba.com/nets/history/retirednumbers.html Nets Retired Numbers] ]ee also
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List of sportspeople who have died during their playing career References
* Jim O'Brien: [http://www.remembertheaba.com/ABAArticles/OBrienArticleLadner.html "Wendell Ladner"]
External links
* [http://www.basketballreference.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=LADNEWE01 ABA stats] @ basketballreference.com
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