USAB picked Laettner for the last Dream Team spot because he could play all frontcourt positions.
When USA Basketball assembled the first NBA-led U.S. men’s basketball team to the Olympics in 1992, it saved one slot for a collegiate player. That roster spot ended up going to Duke’s Christian Laettner.
Although Laettner was a standout NCAA player, many were disappointed in his appointment.
They believed that LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal or Georgetown’s Alonzo Mourning were more deserving of a Dream Team spot than Laettner.
The organization did not give an official explanation, but USAB head C.J. Newton offered to give his take on Laettner’s selection.
“I can’t speak for the entire committee, but, personally, I think the one thing you look for in this case is great flexibility,” said Newton. “Christian gives you that. He can play small forward, he can certainly power forward and center, and he can shoot the 3-pointer.”
Laettner could shoot the college three ball
Christian was one of the most decorated college basketball during that time. He played four seasons for the Blue Devils and led them to back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992. Christian was the NCAA Final Four MVP in 1991 and was the College Player of the Year in 1992.
At 6’11”, Laettner had the ability to stretch the floor with his ability to shoot. He was a career 48.5 percent three-point shooter in college and made 97 three-pointers at 55.7 percent accuracy during his senior year. So yeah, he certainly could play both forward spots with his skillset.
Despite Laettner’s accolades, USAB still drew criticism for picking him. But according to Newton, that reaction was expected.
“We will be second-guessed on the selections,” added Newton. “But that is part of it. When you are talking about selecting 12 players, it leaves a lot of room to be second-guessed.”
Shaq was pissed off
Of course, Shaq was appalled that he wasn’t picked. O’Neal was the consensus No.1 pick in the 1992 NBA Draft after a dominant three-year run at LSU, where he averaged 21.6 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game. But he somehow understood why.
“I was pissed off,” Shaq said. “I was jealous. But then I had to come to the realization that I was a more explosive, more powerful player, but Christian Laettner was a little bit more fundamentally sound than I was. Plus, he stayed all four years and graduated. I just think it helped me grow as a player.”
Laettner ended up playing just 7.6 minutes per game in the Dream Team’s eight games. He averaged only 2.5 field goal attempts per contest, and it was okay with him. Perhaps, if USAB selected Shaq, it would have been a bigger issue if O’Neal complained about the lack of touches and minutes. So in hindsight, Laettner may have been the right choice for Newton’s committee.