NBA/Greyhound Basketball Legend Larry Riley Legend to be Inducted into ENMU Athletics Hall of Honors

Wednesday, August 6, 2017

PORTALES, NM – Two weeks from Saturday, the Eastern New Mexico University athletic department will host one of its showcase events in the Hall of Honors Banquet on Saturday, September 23^rd. Among the five inductees will be a basketball legend from both the National Basketball Association and ENMU, Larry Riley.

Please RSVP early to be a part of this spectacular event, as there is a September 15^th deadline. Tickets are $30 per person. For ticket information please contact Kimberly Sites at the ENMU Athletic Office at 575-562-2153 or Kimberly.sites@enmu.edu. The event will be held in The Campus Union Building on Saturday, September 23^rd, and begin at 9 a.m. The honorees also will be recognized at halftime of the Greyhounds’ football game against Angelo State.

Although most people recognize Larry Riley as the general manager and architect of the Golden State Warriors’ recent NBA Championship team, the accomplishment was merely the pinnacle of a storied career. Riley began his 27-year journey through the NBA ranks as a video coordinator/scout. He served in front office and coaching capacities with the Vancouver Grizzlies (1994-99), Dallas Mavericks (2000-05), and eventually the Golden State Warriors. Success followed Riley every step of the way, as the Mavericks posted 50 wins every year under his tenure and had a cumulative record of 340-152. Dallas won the Western Conference in 2006, and reached the NBA Finals. Prior to his work in the NBA, Larry Riley served as the Greyhound men’s basketball coach for 10 seasons from 1978-1987. He guided the Hounds to five postseason events and helped transition the program from NAIA to NCAA Division II. ENMU’s top season under Riley came in 1983-84, when the Hounds posted an 18-12 record.

After the nomination process, candidates were considered and voted on by the ENMU Hall of Honors Committee. The committee consists of the following members: Charles Chambers, Thurman Elder, Bill Joy, Greg Waggoner, Mike Maguire, Wayne Moore, Dr. Kathleen Salter, Bryan Principe, and Dr. Buck Wilson.