EJ Rowland
February 2, 2021
Larry Abney
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 1/09/77
- Place of Birth: Nyack, New York (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 203
- Weight (KG): 107
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Fresno CC (1996-1997) / Fresno State (1997-2000)
- NBL DEBUT: 2/09/05
- AGE AT DEBUT: 28
- LAST NBL GAME: 24/11/12
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 35
- NBL History: Townsville 2006-07, 2013 | Cairns 2008-09
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Larry Abney was born in Nyack, New York (USA), where he attended Nyack High School. As a junior in 1993–94 he averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game and earned fourth-team all-state honours.
As a senior in 1994–95, Abney averaged 18.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 5.0 blocks per game, earning honorable mention All-America honours from USA Today along with first-team all-state honours, and in April 1995 he signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Fresno State University.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Larry Abney made his NBL debut with the Townsville Crocodiles at 28 years of age. He scored 24 points in his first game.
The Crocodiles entered the season with significant roster changes. Pat Reidy retired, while Derek Moore and import Robert Brown exited the team. To fill the frontcourt void, Townsville signed Larry Abney, a high-energy forward known for his rebounding and interior presence. Veteran guard Damon Lowery (via Wollongong) was also added, while development player Michael Cedar was elevated to the main roster.
Townsville opened their season in dominant fashion, defeating the West Sydney Razorbacks 111–97 on the road. Larry Abney announced his arrival with 24 points (10-15 FG) and 9 rebounds in 37 minutes, providing an instant impact alongside Brad Newley and Casey Calvary. The Crocodiles followed this with a 108–100 win over Adelaide and an explosive 124–108 victory over Perth, where Abney again starred in transition and on the glass.
By late September, Townsville held a promising 4–1 record, with Abney anchoring the frontcourt through efficient scoring and relentless rebounding. He posted 20 points and 9 boards in a 122–113 win over the New Zealand Breakers, but despite his consistent efforts, the Crocodiles’ form began to unravel. They dropped back-to-back home games to Brisbane (107–116) and then were dismantled by the Sydney Kings 128–94, with Abney finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Abney continued to shine even as the team’s fortunes dipped. In a high-scoring shootout with the Hunter Pirates on November 20, he delivered a standout 36-point, 21-rebound performance (12-23 FG, 12-17 FT), adding 4 assists and 2 steals in 46 minutes. Despite his dominant play, Townsville fell 105–99 in a game that epitomised their season—strong individual performances overshadowed by defensive lapses and late-game breakdowns.
Over the next two months, Townsville went through a brutal stretch, dropping key games against Melbourne, Cairns, and the Pirates again. In a 107–90 loss to Cairns on February 3, Abney was one of the few bright spots with 26 points and 7 rebounds on 10-19 shooting, continuing to lead by example even as the team slid down the standings.
Across the season, Abney was Townsville’s most consistent and productive player. He averaged (20.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks) over 32 games, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding. His presence on the interior provided stability amid a rotating backcourt and a young developing core. He formed a strong statistical trio with Brad Newley (19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists) and Casey Calvary (17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds), though team defence and depth remained issues.
Veteran John Rillie (15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists) added leadership and shot-making, while Robert Rose (8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists) closed out his NBL career, retiring after the season. Role players Kelvin Robertson (7.8 points, 2.0 assists), Greg Vanderjagt (6.3 points, 3.4 rebounds), and Damon Lowery (5.5 points, 1.9 rebounds) contributed sporadically. Young prospects Cameron Tragardh (3.1 points) and Michael Cedar (2.6 points) showed glimpses of potential off the bench.
Despite Abney’s high-level production and consistent double-double output, Townsville finished ninth with a 9–23 record and missed the playoffs. The season marked the end of an era as head coach Ian Stacker’s contract was not renewed, capping off a disappointing campaign for a team that had started with promise.
2006/07
Larry Abney returned for his second NBL season with the Crocodiles and delivered a dominant campaign as the team’s most consistent frontcourt presence.
Major roster moves saw Robert Rose (to Cairns) and import Casey Calvary exit the club, with Daniel Egan (via Brisbane) and import Jelani Gardner (via France) joining the backcourt.
Halfway into the season, Gardner (15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists) was released, and the team added EJ Rowland (12.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.0 steals) for the second half of the season.
While Brad Newley (22.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists) led the team in scoring, Larry Abney (21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals) and John Rillie (19.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists) provided a high-powered trio. Together, they led the Crocodiles to a fifth-place finish (19–14) and a return to the postseason.
In the opening round of the playoffs, the Crocodiles hosted the Singapore Slingers at the Townsville Entertainment Centre and emerged with a 106–93 victory. Rillie led the way with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, with Newley adding 23 points in the win. Abney was again effective inside, providing scoring and rebounding support in the victory.
Their playoff run ended in the next round, as Townsville fell 122–89 to the Sydney Kings in a one-game quarter-final clash at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. Abney (14 points, 7 rebounds) contributed inside, shooting 6-of-14 from the field and 2-of-4 from the free throw line in 33 minutes of action. Kelvin Robertson (21 points) was the Crocodiles’ top scorer, while EJ Rowland (17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals) also made an impact. For the Kings, Mark Worthington (28 points, 6 rebounds), B.J. Carter (20 points), and Russell Hinder (17 points, 6 rebounds) led the scoring in a dominant display.
The Crocodiles’ supporting cast included Kelvin Robertson (10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists), Daniel Egan (10.0 points, 4.8 rebounds), Greg Vanderjagt (6.0 points, 5.5 rebounds), and Michael Cedar (4.3 points). Abney remained the club’s anchor in the paint, leading the team in rebounds and ranking second in scoring behind Newley.
CAIRNS TAIPANS
2007/08
The 2007/08 season saw Abney average 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists and play a key role in helping the Taipans to a sixth-place finish during the regular season with a 16-14 record.
2008/09
This was a dark period for Cairns started the season in financial strife and by December 2008, saw themselves placed into voluntary administration. As a result, coach Alan Black and son Stephen Black (the team’s leading scorer) were let go, along with imports Abney (15.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks) and Dave Thomas (11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.5 steals). The rest of the team had to agree to a blanket 45 percent pay cut for the rest of the season. Less than 12 months later, the Taipans were again in financial trouble – at the time, the club was almost $350,000 over budget and had only recorded a profit in one of the previous four months.
In response, Basketball Australia and Cairns Regional Council vowed to continue supporting the cash-strapped Taipans.
Taipans CEO Mark Beecroft stepped in as head coach for the remaining games, while team captain Martin Cattalini (15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) led the team that remained against all the odds. Surprisingly, Cairns finished with a reasonable record of 11-19 to end the season.
TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
2012/13
After several seasons away from the NBL, veteran forward Larry Abney returned to the Townsville Crocodiles for the start of the 2012/13 campaign. Re-signed as part of a late roster reshuffle following the release of import bigs Jason Forte and Curtis Withers, Abney was brought in to provide experience and stability to a frontcourt lacking size and leadership.
Abney featured in the Crocs’ first nine games of the season, averaging 4.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game, along with 0.8 steals and 0.3 blocks. While he showed flashes of his trademark hustle and defensive activity, his overall production fell short of expectations, and with the team struggling at 0–9, Townsville made the decision to release him and bring in former NBA hopeful Luke Nevill.
Nevill’s arrival immediately sparked a turnaround, as the Crocs snapped their winless start and rattled off five straight victories. Abney’s short stint ended without a win, but his presence in the early stages provided veteran cover during a turbulent start to the season.
Larry Abney played five seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Townsville Crocodiles and the Cairns Taipans. He averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 122 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 35 | Townsville | 10-18 (7) | 9 | 144 | 40 | 31 | 4 | 9 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 38 | 42% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 8 | 12 | 67% | 46% | 42% | 11 |
| 2008-09 | 31 | Cairns | 11-19 (9) | 18 | 601 | 271 | 152 | 7 | 52 | 100 | 15 | 20 | 36 | 36 | 110 | 216 | 51% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 51 | 86 | 59% | 53% | 51% | 22 |
| 2007-08 | 30 | Cairns | 16-14 (6) | 31 | 1,113 | 505 | 274 | 39 | 98 | 176 | 32 | 25 | 68 | 95 | 204 | 414 | 49% | 0 | 6 | 0% | 97 | 160 | 61% | 52% | 49% | 26 |
| 2006-07 | 29 | Townsville | 19-14 (5) | 32 | 1,277 | 681 | 293 | 55 | 98 | 195 | 37 | 22 | 87 | 95 | 272 | 547 | 50% | 4 | 8 | 50% | 133 | 213 | 62% | 53% | 50% | 36 |
| 2005-06 | 28 | Townsville | 9-23 (9) | 32 | 1,307 | 642 | 361 | 49 | 132 | 229 | 31 | 31 | 89 | 114 | 251 | 528 | 48% | 3 | 7 | 43% | 137 | 219 | 63% | 51% | 48% | 36 | Totals | 122 | 4442 | 2139 | 1111 | 154 | 389 | 722 | 122 | 101 | 291 | 354 | 853 | 1743 | 48.9% | 7 | 22 | 31.8% | 426 | 690 | 61.7% | 52% | 49% | 36 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 35 | Townsville | 10-18 (7) | 9 | 16.0 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 4.2 | 42% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.9 | 1.3 | 67% | 46% | 42% | 11 |
| 2008-09 | 31 | Cairns | 11-19 (9) | 18 | 33.4 | 15.1 | 8.4 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 5.6 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 6.1 | 12.0 | 51% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 2.8 | 4.8 | 59% | 53% | 51% | 22 |
| 2007-08 | 30 | Cairns | 16-14 (6) | 31 | 35.9 | 16.3 | 8.8 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 5.7 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 3.1 | 6.6 | 13.4 | 49% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 3.1 | 5.2 | 61% | 52% | 49% | 26 |
| 2006-07 | 29 | Townsville | 19-14 (5) | 32 | 39.9 | 21.3 | 9.2 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 6.1 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 8.5 | 17.1 | 50% | 0.1 | 0.3 | 50% | 4.2 | 6.7 | 62% | 53% | 50% | 36 |
| 2005-06 | 28 | Townsville | 9-23 (9) | 32 | 40.8 | 20.1 | 11.3 | 1.5 | 4.1 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 7.8 | 16.5 | 48% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 43% | 4.3 | 6.8 | 63% | 51% | 48% | 36 | Total | 122 | 36.4 | 17.5 | 9.1 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 5.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 7.0 | 14.3 | 48.9% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 31.8% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 61.7% | 52% | 49% | 36 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 36 | 21 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 0 |
|---|
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Argentina - Ciclista Olímpico (2009), Estudiantes (2009), Gimnasia (2010) | Cyprus - ETHA Engomis (2004–2005) | Dominican Republic - Reales de La Vega (2005) | France - Beauvais BC (2003–2004), Étendard de Brest (2006) | Korea - Mobis Automons (2001–2002) | Mexico - Halcones Rojos Veracruz (2010) | Netherlands - EiffelTowers (2009) | New Zealand - Southland Sharks (2012) | Syria - Al Jaish Damascus (2007) | Ukraine - Khimik (2010) | Venezuela - Cocodrilos de Caracas (2005)
Abney’s first overseas stop came in 2001 when he signed with the Mobis Automons for the 2001–02 Korean Basketball League season.
In 2003, he moved to France and played for Beauvais BC in LNB Pro B during the 2003–04 season.
He signed with ETHA Engomis in 2004 for the 2004–05 season in Cyprus, and in six games in FIBA Men’s European Club Competitions – Tier 2 he averaged 21.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in 37.2 minutes per game, including 37 points and seven rebounds against Keravnos on 17 November 2004.
During the 2005 off-season, Abney played for Cocodrilos de Caracas in Venezuela and Reales de La Vega in the Dominican Republic.
In 2006, he returned to France and joined Étendard de Brest for the remainder of the 2005–06 LNB Pro A season.
In March 2007, he joined Al Jaish Damascus in Syria.
On 19 January 2009, he signed with EiffelTowers Den Bosch in the Netherlands, and later in 2009 he was a Dutch Basketball League All-Star while helping the club win the Dutch Cup.
In the summer of 2009, Abney signed with Argentina’s Ciclista Olímpico, left in November, and then signed with Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca before departing in December after seven games.
He signed with Halcones Rojos Veracruz in Mexico in February 2010 and left after eight games, then joined BC Khimik in the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague on 18 March 2010 and was waived on 8 April after four games before signing with Gimnasia y Esgrima in Argentina for 2010–11 and leaving in November.
On 11 January 2012, Abney signed with the Southland Sharks in New Zealand and was listed on the roster alongside guards Kevin Braswell, Shaun Tilby and Dion Prewster and forward Craig Bradshaw.
In that New Zealand season, he ranked third in the league in rebounding at 10.3 per game, and RealGM’s minute-based league tables listed him at 35.7 minutes per game with a .585 field-goal percentage.
COLLEGE
After enrolling at Fresno State for the 1995–96 academic year but being academically ineligible to play, Abney spent the 1996–97 season at Fresno City College, where he helped the Rams win their first Central Valley Conference title since 1987 and reach the state final four while averaging 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds across 34 games.
Abney returned to Fresno State in 1997–98 and became a key frontcourt role player in the Western Athletic Conference, playing in all 34 games and starting 13 while averaging 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, and that season he was a college teammate of Rafer Alston on the Bulldogs’ roster.
In 1998–99, Abney’s minutes and responsibility climbed, and he averaged 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 33 games with 25 starts while shooting .559 from the field, setting the table for a senior year that turned him into one of the nation’s most productive rebounders.
As a senior in 1999–2000, Abney started all 33 games and averaged 10.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, earning All-WAC second team honours while helping Fresno State win the 2000 Western Athletic Conference tournament championship and reach the NCAA tournament.
Abney’s 1999–2000 rebounding season included 402 total rebounds, a Fresno State single-season record, and he finished the year listed as the No. 3 rebounder in NCAA Division I at 11.8 rebounds per game, while also posting 14 double-doubles and leading Fresno State in minutes played at 1,111.
On February 17, 2000, Abney set the modern-era (post-1973) NCAA Division I single-game record by grabbing 35 rebounds against SMU, and he added 20 points in that same game, with Fresno State later recording the performance as both an NCAA record and the school’s single-game rebounding record.
Across his Fresno State career from 1997–98 to 1999–2000, Abney played 101 games and started 72, averaging 7.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 59.0 percent from the field, finishing his college résumé as a WAC champion, an All-WAC selection, and the holder of one of the most famous rebounding records in college basketball history.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL First Team
- 1x All-NBL Second Team
- 1x NBL Leading Rebounder
COACHING HISTORY
Larry Abney moved into coaching and player development following his professional playing career.
Abney spent six years as a Player Development Coach with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2017 to 2022 and also served as the club's Basketball Operations Assistant.
He later became Associate Head Coach of the Agua Caliente Clippers, now the Ontario Clippers, before being appointed Head Coach of the Saskatchewan Rattlers in February 2024.
Related
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