This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/5/2024
Larry Hennessy (May 20, 1929 – August 20, 2008) is a 6’4” forwarded heralding from Blessed Sacrament High School in New Rochelle, NY.
Hennessey played his college ball for Villanova University where he finished with 1,737 points and was named to the 1951-1952 sophomore All-American first team. His No. 14 jersey was retired by the Wildcats.
Hennessy was one of the most prolific scorers in Wildcat basketball history and his 1,737 career points in three varsity seasons from 1950-53 still ranks 11th in school history. Known for one of the nation's most accurate set shots, Hennessy averaged 23.2 points in 75 career games on the Main Line playing for coach Al Severance.
On Feb. 14, 1953, he scored 45 points against Boston College ten days after scoring 44 points against Canisius. Only two Wildcats, Paul Arizin and Bob Schafer, have scored more points in a single game for Villanova.
An excellent passer, rebounder, and outside shooter, Hennessy went onto play professionally for the Philadelphia Warriors and was a member of the 1956 World Champion team. He finished his pro career with the Syracuse Nationals during the 1956-1957 season.
In 1957, he became the head coach at Neptune High School and built that school into a powerhouse in the Shore Conference. Using a fast-break, full-court style, Hennessy led Neptune to consecutive Shore Conference championships from 1961-67 and titles in 1972 and 1976. Neptune also captured 18 divisional titles and six New Jersey state sectional crowns.
Hennessy later went on to coach at Brookdale Community College and added four more Shore Conference divisional titles at Mater Dei High School, where he posted an 87-18 record. He completed his coaching career at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, Va., with more than 600 lifetime victories to his credit.
Larry Hennessy was a proud member of the 1956 World Champion Philadelphia Warriors where the team finished the season with a 46-26 record to finish 1st in the East. He was coached by George Senesky and played along side Jack George, Paul Arzin, Neil Johnston, Tom Gola, and Joe Graborski.
The Warriors rolled over the Ft Wayne Pistons 4-1 to become World Champions.
Offered in this lot is the only Philadelphia Warriors home jersey dating to Larry Hennessy's 1955-56 season with the NBA Champions. Players were issued only one home, one road for the entire season. To our knowledge, this is the only surviving 1956 Philadelphia Warriors World Championship season home jersey known.
Pearson 1010 Chestnut St. Phila PA tag sewn inside tail with the outline of a removed swatch below while "Phila" and number 4 are also sewn to the white durene jersey. The matching Pearson trunks with a swatch reading "34 4 1954" will also attend. Heavy wear. MEARS A9.5 with a 1/2 point deduction for the missing jersey swatch. Sourced directlt from the families estate.
(85J0367)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS