Raef LaFrentz

A stretch big who helped redefine floor spacing in the early 2000s.

Jun 02, 2025

Years Active: 1998–2009
Teams: Nuggets, Mavericks, Celtics, Trail Blazers
Drafted: 3rd overall in 1998 by the Denver Nuggets
Career Stats: 10.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 35.8% 3P over 563 games
Notable: Led the NBA in total blocks in 2001–02

From Kansas Star to NBA Marksman

Raef LaFrentz entered the league as one of the most decorated big men in college basketball, having starred at Kansas alongside Paul Pierce. Selected third overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, LaFrentz was seen as a franchise cornerstone—an agile 6'11" forward-center who could rebound, protect the rim, and, unusually for the era, shoot from deep.

Though his rookie season was derailed by injury, he bounced back to become a versatile two-way contributor, showing early flashes of a big man who could stretch the floor well before it became standard.

Blocks, Boards, and Threes

In the early 2000s, LaFrentz carved out a unique identity as a shot-blocking stretch big. During the 2001–02 season, he led the league in total blocked shots (228) while also hitting over 100 three-pointers—a rare feat at the time. That same season, he averaged 13.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, proving he could protect the rim and space the floor simultaneously.

He played a key role with the Dallas Mavericks, where his combination of size and shooting fit perfectly in Don Nelson’s pace-and-space offense alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash.

A Quiet Technician

LaFrentz wasn’t the most vocal player, but his game spoke volumes. He played with efficiency and intelligence, rarely forcing offense and consistently making the right read. His shooting touch extended beyond the arc, and his timing on defense allowed him to guard multiple positions, even when he wasn’t the most explosive athlete on the floor.

Injuries limited his availability later in his career, particularly during his time with Boston and Portland, but even in reduced roles, he provided veteran leadership, floor spacing, and rim protection—the kind of blend today’s game now demands from bigs.

Legacy of a Prototype

Though his name isn’t often mentioned among innovators, LaFrentz’s skill set helped preview the modern stretch big archetype that dominates today’s NBA. He finished his career with over 500 three-pointers and 900 blocked shots—a rare combination for his time.

After retiring in 2009, LaFrentz largely stepped away from the spotlight, focusing on family and life in Iowa. But his legacy remains quietly influential—a bridge between the back-to-the-basket bigs of the ‘90s and the pick-and-pop rim protectors of the modern game.

Raef LaFrentz didn’t make waves with flash or flair, but through quiet consistency, versatility, and a skill set ahead of his time, he helped stretch the game—literally and figuratively—into a new era.