Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
Here is the information about Rudy LaRusso:
Player Profile
- Full Name: Rudolph “Rudy” A. LaRusso
- Nationality: American
- Age: Deceased (born November 11, 1936 – died July 9, 2004, aged 67)
- Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
- Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m)
- Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches
- Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
- Number: Wore #35 and #15 during his career
- Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
- High School: James Madison High School, Brooklyn, New York
- College: Dartmouth College
- NBA Draft: 1959, 2nd Round, 10th pick overall by the Minneapolis Lakers
- Teams Played For: Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers, San Francisco Warriors
- Championship Rings: 0 (came close with the Lakers, making the NBA Finals multiple times)
- Kids: Yes, LaRusso had children, but details are not widely publicized
- Siblings: Not publicly documented
Player Archetype / Play Style
Rudy LaRusso’s player archetype was that of a tough, two-way power forward who did the physical work inside while complementing higher-usage stars. At 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, he had the strong, raw-boned build of a classic frontcourt battler, and defensively he made his mark with rebounding, strength, and hard-nosed interior coverage. Offensively, LaRusso operated mainly as a low-post scorer and interior finisher rather than a flashy creator, giving his teams reliable secondary production around the basket. His overall play style was aggressive, practical, and team-oriented, built on paint scoring, board work, defensive toughness, and the kind of enforcer mentality that fit the early Lakers’ front line well. (Basketball Reference)
Fun Facts
- He is a five-time NBA All-Star
Sources:
Basketball-Reference — Rudy LaRusso Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and More
Los Angeles Times — Rudy LaRusso, 66; Played on 1st L.A. Laker Team
Dartmouth Sports — 2009-10 BIG GREEN MEDIA GUIDE