Nebraska's first two-time All-Big Eight selection, Lantz led the Cornhuskers in scoring and rebounding two straight years and later had his No. 22 retired in Lincoln. Drafted by San Diego in 1968, he averaged 20.6 points for the Rockets in 1970-71, and his NBA road included a 1974-75 stop with the New Orleans Jazz. A back injury forced retirement in 1977, days before he turned 31.
Broadcasting became the longer career. Lantz has been the Lakers' color commentator since 1987, first alongside Chick Hearn, earning seven best-analyst awards from Southern California's sports broadcasters and, in 2023, the Los Angeles Area Emmy Governors Award — company that includes Vin Scully and Kobe Bryant.
HOW HE CAME & WENTThe Jazz took him from Detroit in the 1974 expansion draft and re-signed him two days later. That December they traded him to the Lakers for cash and the pick that became Jim McElroy.
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| SEASON | TEAM | G | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–75 | NOJ | 19 | 18.6 | 6.6 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | .339 | — | .887 |
| JAZZ TOTAL | 1 SEASON | 19 | 18.6 | 6.6 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | .339 | — | .887 |
Season by season, regular season, with this franchise only. More info: Basketball-Reference ↗ · Wikipedia ↗