Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Larry Kenon combined athleticism, rebounding, and scoring ability to become one of the most productive forwards of the ABA era and a key figure in the Spurs’ early years. Whether he was finishing above the rim or battling for loose balls, Kenon played with an energy that made him a constant presence on both ends of the floor.
Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Larry Kenon:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Larry Joe Kenon
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: December 13, 1952
- Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Height: 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
- Weight: 205 pounds (93 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches (208cm)
- Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
- Jersey Number: 35
- Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
- High School: Ullman High School, Birmingham, Alabama
- College:
- Amarillo College
- Memphis State University
- NBA Draft: 1973, 3rd round, 50th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons
- Professional Teams:
- New York Nets (ABA) (1973–1975)
- San Antonio Spurs (ABA/NBA) (1975–1980)
- Chicago Bulls (1980–1982)
- Golden State Warriors (1982–1983)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (1982–1983)
- Championship Rings: 1 (ABA Championship with New York Nets in 1974)
- Children: Information not publicly available
- Siblings: Information not publicly available
Career Highlights:
- Three-time ABA All-Star
- Two-time NBA All-Star
- Holds the NBA record for most steals in a single game with 11
- Averaged 21.2 points and 10.1 rebounds during his five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs
Player Archetype / Play Style
Larry Kenon was a versatile scoring forward whose archetype fits the two-way combo forward: a rebound-capable wing-big hybrid who could score in volume, defend across frontcourt matchups, and impact games with activity plays. Defensively, he handled forwards, jumped passing lanes, and brought real disruptive value, which is underscored by his share of the NBA single-game steals record with 11. Offensively, he operated as a major scoring option rather than a pure creator, producing heavily from the forward spot while also contributing on the glass. Physically, Kenon stood 6-foot-9 and about 205 pounds, giving him the length and mobility to play bigger than a wing while still moving like a skilled forward. His overall style was athletic, productive, and adaptable: a forward who mixed scoring touch, strong rebounding, transition play, and active defense without being limited to just one frontcourt role. (Basketball Reference)
Scouting Report
Larry Kenon was the kind of forward who could quietly take over a game because he never seemed rushed by what was happening around him. What stands out is how naturally he flowed between roles. One possession he’d be attacking from the wing with long, controlled strides, the next he’d be sealing a smaller defender on the block or drifting into the short corner waiting for the defense to lose sight of him. He had excellent hands and an unusual ability to gather difficult passes in traffic, which made him a constant target when teammates drove into congestion. His scoring came from reading the floor rather than forcing it, and he was particularly effective slipping behind ball watching defenders for easy finishes or turning offensive rebounds into points before the defense could reset. The interesting thing is that his passing is easy to overlook because it wasn’t flashy, but he recognized when double teams arrived and consistently made the simple extra pass to keep the possession alive instead of trying to score through traffic. Defensively, he covered a lot of ground with his length, rotating from the weak side to challenge shots, disrupting passing lanes with quick reactions, and switching onto wings for stretches without looking uncomfortable. He wasn’t a player who anchored an entire defensive scheme, but he regularly cleaned up possessions by being in the right place a beat before everyone else. The trade-off was that he wasn’t a polished perimeter creator against set defenses, so asking him to manufacture offense late in the clock diminished many of the instincts that made him so effective. His ideal role is as a featured forward within a motion offense where cuts, post seals, transition opportunities and secondary actions create advantages before the defense is fully organized. Put him next to a true primary creator and intelligent interior size, and his off-ball movement becomes even more valuable because defenders are constantly forced to choose between helping at the rim or tracking his timely cuts. His game brings to mind Shawn Marion’s knack for producing points without monopolizing possessions, while sharing elements of Marques Johnson’s smooth blend of slashing, interior scoring and understated playmaking. — Mat Diekhake, HeatingUp
Sources: Larry Kenon Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more — Basketball-Reference; Most steals by a player in a single NBA game — NBA.com; 40-year anniversary of Spurs’ first NBA division title — San Antonio Express-News; Here’s your chance to build the ultimate Spurs dream team — San Antonio Express-News