Professional Basketball Player. He played the power forward position for the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers during a ten year career (1976-77 to 1985-86). Born Lonnie Jewel Shelton, he played basketball collegiately at Oregon State University where he was first-team All-Pac-8 in 1975. He was drafted by the Memphis Sounds of the American Basketball Association in 1975, but decided to stay in school for another year. In 1976, he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the second round of that year's NBA draft. He played for the Knicks for two years before going to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1978 as compensation for the Knicks' signing of free agent Marvin Webster. He went on to play for the SuperSonics for five years before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1983. While with the Sonics, he played a major role in their winning the 1979 NBA Championship against the Washington Bullets. He also played in 1982 NBA All-Star Game and was named to the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team that same year. After being traded to the Cavaliers, he played for them for three years before retiring after the 1985-86 season. His career statistics included 8,049 points, 4,136 rebounds, and 1,459 assists. One of his sons, L.J., went on to play in the National Football League. He passed away two months after suffering a heart attack.
Professional Basketball Player. He played the power forward position for the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, and Cleveland Cavaliers during a ten year career (1976-77 to 1985-86). Born Lonnie Jewel Shelton, he played basketball collegiately at Oregon State University where he was first-team All-Pac-8 in 1975. He was drafted by the Memphis Sounds of the American Basketball Association in 1975, but decided to stay in school for another year. In 1976, he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the second round of that year's NBA draft. He played for the Knicks for two years before going to the Seattle SuperSonics in 1978 as compensation for the Knicks' signing of free agent Marvin Webster. He went on to play for the SuperSonics for five years before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1983. While with the Sonics, he played a major role in their winning the 1979 NBA Championship against the Washington Bullets. He also played in 1982 NBA All-Star Game and was named to the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team that same year. After being traded to the Cavaliers, he played for them for three years before retiring after the 1985-86 season. His career statistics included 8,049 points, 4,136 rebounds, and 1,459 assists. One of his sons, L.J., went on to play in the National Football League. He passed away two months after suffering a heart attack.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
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