College Basketball Legend Dead From Cancer At 49 originally appeared on The Spun.
A beloved former college basketball star has died from cancer at 49 years old.
Larry Florence, a legendary Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball star, died over the weekend. He had been battling multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. He had spoken out during his battle with cancer.
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“You understand as a human being, God wants us to work together and help each other, but sometimes you’ve got to take a step back and be like, ‘No,’ turn your phone off and just relax,” he told the Ledger-Enquirer last April. “I want people to really concentrate on, especially men in general, to not be so manly. Get your checkups. Get your blood work done.”
Independence CC head coach Jason Steadman confirmed the news of his passing.
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 12: Pinnacle Bank Arena as Western Illinois Leathernecks and Nebraska Cornhuskers play on November 12, 2013 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images)
Florence starred for the Huskers for four seasons. He was a team captain and a part of four postseason squads, including the 1998 NCAA Tournament team and the 1996 NIT Championship team.
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He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention in 2000. He totaled more than 1,000 career points at Nebraska and he was named the Husker Power Male Athlete of the Year in 1999.
Florence said that basketball saved his life, as he grew up in a rough area.
“It saved my life because it gave me a sense of purpose,” he said. “Once you figure out that you’re pretty good at it, now you got to work at it. … It gave me a sense of pride to be doing something that other people want to come and watch you do. … If I didn’t have basketball, I could have been out in these streets doing nonsense, whether it was drinking alcohol every day or doing drugs. … It was really difficult in the hood, as far as guys selling drugs or breaking into people’s homes or stealing cars.”
Our thoughts are with his friends and family members during this difficult time.
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May he rest in peace.
College Basketball Legend Dead From Cancer At 49 first appeared on The Spun on Jul 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
