High-flying power forward Larry Johnson of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas was honored with John R. Wooden Award at the end of the 1990-91 NCAA basketball season. Johnson, a 6’6” power forward, was coming off an incredibly successful season that ended with the Runnin’ Rebels 103-73 victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the 1990 NCAA title game. Johnson continued UNLV’s momentum in 1990-91, scoring 22.7 points with 10.9 rebounds per game as he led the Runnin’ Rebels to a perfect 27-0 regular season record under head coach Jerry Tarkanian.

In the NCAA tournament, Johnson and the Rebels defeated Montana, Georgetown, Utah, and Seton Hall to set up a rematch with Coach K and the Blue Devils in the 1991 Final Four. In a result that shocked the college basketball world, Duke triumphed 79-77 in this spirited rematch. Despite the loss, Johnson was honored with a host of awards in the offseason. The Texas native won both major player of the year awards, the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year and the John R. Wooden Award, before being selected with the first overall pick of the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Johnson won the 1991-92 NBA Rookie of the Year award, was selected to two All-Star teams, and signed what was then the most lucrative contract in league history during his 10-season pro career.

This offered award stands on an equilateral pentagonal base with sides that measure 7.5 inches. A plaque affixed to the base reads “The Los Angeles Athletic Club / John R. Wooden Award / Presented Annually To The / Outstanding Collegiate Basketball / Player In The United States / 1991 / Larry Johnson / University of Nevada Las Vegas”. The top of the statue has five basketball player statuettes, four of which are holding a basketball. The total height of this trophy measures just under 19 inches. The Wooden Award is an extremely sought-after college basketball honor, and the trophy presented to Larry Johnson would surely be the centerpiece of any serious collection.

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