The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn legends: Basketball Hall of Honor inductee Lance Blanks
10.09.2007 | Men's Basketball
For a student-athlete who brought the men's basketball program back into prominence and contributed so much to The University of Texas during his time on campus, it was quite ironic how Lance Blanks heard of his induction into the Longhorn Hall of Honor.
"It never really sunk in when I originally got the news," Blanks recalled. "Initially someone called me who saw it run across the sports ticker in Austin. I didn't know what to think because I hadn't heard from the school yet.
"I later found out they didn't have my new cell number."
Due to his efforts on the basketball court and his contribution to The University, Blanks is one of seven former athletes that will be inducted this year into the Texas Athletics' Longhorn Hall of Honor in November.
In his two seasons at Texas, Blanks helped the Longhorns to a 49-18 mark and led the team to an "Elite Eight" appearance his senior season in 1990. He left Texas as the eight-leading scorer in school history with 1,322 points, the highest total by a two-year player in school history. Blanks concluded his career as the all-time leader in steals with 198 and stands fourth place in career scoring average with 20.0 points per game.
Blanks transferred to The University of Texas after playing two years at Virginia and became part of the famed "BMW" backcourt that consisted of Blanks, Travis Mays and Joey Wright.
During his junior year, Blanks led the Texas team to a 25-9 record and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He ranked second on the team in scoring, averaging 19.7 ppg and was tabbed the Southwest Conference's Newcomer of the Year. During the same season, Blanks set single-season school records for minutes played (1,295) and in steals (111).
For his final season at Texas, Blanks paced the team to a 24-9 record and a trip to the NCAA Midwest Regional Final. It was the school's first appearance in the Elite Eight since 1947, when the Longhorns advanced to the Final Four in what was then an eight-team tournament. He also garnered a spot on the five-man NCAA All-Midwest Regional team and the USBWA All-District 7 squad.
Blanks was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1990 NBA draft. After spending two seasons with the Pistons, Blanks then joined the Minnesota Timberwolves for one year in 1993 for his final season of playing professional basketball. Over time however, Blanks eventually found his way back into the NBA.
"I've been raising two wonderful daughters along with my college sweetheart and wife, Renee," Blanks stated. "I am currently working in the front office with the Cleveland Cavaliers and it has been an awesome journey for my family and me. We had so many great experiences, met some amazing people and made some life long friends."
Even though he currently lives in Cleveland, Blanks still sets aside time to visit Austin and the UT campus as often as he can.
"I can always use scouting as an excuse to go back to UT," Blanks joked.
But coming back to the Forty Acres to be inducted into the Hall of Honor sets forth a different kind of emotion for Blanks.
"It is hard to explain," Blanks contemplated. "Pardon the pun, but I feel honored to come back and be recognized for my efforts while I was there. It means a lot that my time at UT mattered to someone outside of myself."
The coaches themselves have not forgotten Blanks and his efforts either, as Blanks still interacts with the men's basketball program on a regular basis.
"I still keep in touch with the program at Texas, absolutely," Blanks said. "The coaches treat me like I played for them. Assistant coach Rodney Terry is a close friend of mine."
There's no doubt that his time on campus has left a lasting impression on the ex-Longhorn. Presently, the UT basketball program still prominently stands out in Blanks' mind.
"Right now I see one of the elite programs in the country that attracts some of the best talent," Blanks said. "Coach Barnes and his staff have done a wonderful job. I am proud to be a graduate of UT and a former Longhorn basketball player."
