'''Wendell Ladner''' (October 6, 1948 – June 24, 1975) was an American professional basketball player out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He was one of the great "enforcers" of the ABA, protecting Dan Issel and Julius Erving. The Necaise, Mississippi native spent five seasons with five different teams in the ABA, from 1970-71 to 1974-75. Ladner died in the crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, in New York City. He is one of only six players to have his number retired from the New York/New Jersey Nets.

Reference

* Jim O'Brien: ''Wendell Ladner''

External link

*ABA stats @ basketballreference.com

Biography courtesy of the brilliant Wikipedia!