Larry Drew


Larry Donnell Drew is an American professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. The point guard played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers before being selected by the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 1980 NBA draft with the 17th overall pick. He played 10 seasons in the NBA for the Pistons, Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. In 1988–89, Drew played in the Italian League with Scavolini.
In his NBA career, Drew played in 714 games and scored a total of 8,110 points. His best year as a professional came during the 1982–83 season as a member of the Kings, appearing in 75 games and averaging 20.1 points, 8.1 assists and 1.7 steals per contest.
He was named to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Coaching career

Drew served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, New Jersey Nets, and Atlanta Hawks. He became the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks in 2010–11. His contract expired after the 2012–13 season, when the Hawks hired Mike Budenholzer to replace Drew.
On May 31, 2013, the Milwaukee Bucks hired Drew as their head coach. On June 30, 2014, the Bucks fired Drew from their head coaching position after acquiring head coach Jason Kidd from the Brooklyn Nets.
On August 19, 2014, the Cleveland Cavaliers hired Drew as their assistant coach. On June 19, 2016, the Cavaliers with Drew as an assistant coach, won their first NBA Championship. On March 19, 2018, the Cavaliers named Drew interim head coach while Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue took a leave for health issues. The Cavaliers were 8–1 in the nine games Drew served in Lue's absence. On October 28, 2018, the Cavaliers named Drew their acting head coach following the firing of Lue. Drew sought additional money if he were to be the Cavaliers' interim head coach instead of the team hiring a new leader. On November 5, he was named as permanent head coach. On April 11, 2019, Drew and the Cavaliers parted ways after his contract expired after the 2018–19 season.

Head coaching record

Personal life

Drew is married to Sharon Drew and they have three children, Larry II, Landon and Lindsey. His older son, Larry II, played collegiate basketball at North Carolina before transferring to UCLA in 2011. He last played in the NBA for the New Orleans Pelicans. His middle son, Landon, played for Cal State Northridge. His youngest son, Lindsey, plays for Nevada.