Binghamton University Athletics

A native of Fallsburg, N.Y., Larry Gainen competed in basketball and golf at Binghamton from 1964-68. He received his bachelor's degree in economics in 1968. He went on to earn his J.D. degree from NYU Law School in 1974.

Despite a slight, 5-foot-7, 120-pound frame, Gainen graduated with 962 career points and six basketball scoring records — a remarkable feat given that the bulk of his scoring was done from 20 feet out in the years preceding the 3-point shot. He shot 44 percent from the field and 82 percent from the line.

After easing into his collegiate career as a freshman role player, the left-handed guard took charge in his remaining three seasons, averaging 19.3 points and leading the team in scoring all three years. Gainen averaged 18.4 points as a sophomore and then bumped that mark up to 20.5 points as a junior, when he led the team to a 10-6 season. That 1966-67 season included a 30-point Gainen performance in a win over previously unbeaten Geneseo, when he made nine field goals and converted 12-of-13 free throws. As a senior, Gainen hit for 34 points twice in a nine-day span and finished his career with an 18.9 season average.

During his final three seasons, he scored in double figures in 47 of 48 games. In his 62-game career, Gainen averaged 15.5 points and he graduated holding program records for career field goal percentage, field goals in a game (10), season (85%) and career free throw percentage, free throws in a game (12) and single-game free throw percentage (10-for-10, 1.000). If statisticians charted assists in his era, Gainen no doubt would be atop that list as well.

He was selected as the University's lone "Athlete of the Year" in 1968. Equally adept off the court, Gainen earned Phi Beeta Kappa honors and was the only SUNY student among more than 100,000 to be selected to interview for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.