Christian Laettner Biography

Christian Laettner, born August 17, 1969, is an American former professional basketball player. His college career with the Duke Blue Devils is considered among the most accomplished in NCAA history. Laettner was the sole collegiate player chosen for the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, which secured the gold medal at the Summer Olympics. He has been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, and the FIBA Hall of Fame, and he is enshrined in the College Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual achievements. Drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1992, he played 13 seasons in the NBA for six teams, earning All-Star recognition in 1997. In 2009, he was named to the 1980s All-Western New York first team and selected to the All-time All-Western New York team. During the 1992 East Regional Final, he made a game-winning, buzzer-beating turn-around jumper that became known as The Shot.