Lance Blanks was a retired American professional basketball player and executive known for his work as an analyst for ESPN. During his career, he played for the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, as well as several seasons in Europe. From 2010 to 2013, Blanks served as the general manager of the Phoenix Suns.
Lance passed away unexpectedly on May 3, 2023, at the age of 56. The loss of the beloved former Phoenix Suns general manager and ESPN analyst has left the basketball community mourning. However, as we grieve his passing, we should also remember his life and the legacy he left behind.
Know About Lance Blacks’ Wife And Family
Blanks is survived by his wife, Renee, and their two daughters, Riley and Bryn. Riley, the older daughter, was close to her father and shared his love for sports. Blanks coached her in tennis, and they enjoyed playing together. Bryn has stayed out of the public eye since her father’s passing.
Riley Reed, Blanks’ daughter, is a creative person who tells stories, takes pictures, and writes. She runs the Self-Regard podcast and uses her platform to share stories and experiences that promote self-care and mental health. Reed’s work has been featured in publications like The Huffington Post and Teen Vogue.
Reed is a talented photographer who captures the beauty and complexity of life through her pictures. She uses her art to encourage people to accept themselves and embrace their uniqueness.
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All About Lance Blanks’ Early Life And Career
Born on September 9, 1966, in Del Rio, Texas, Blanks had an impressive basketball career that started in high school. He was selected as Mr. Basketball for Texas in 1985, and he played for the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin, where he became part of the “BMW Scoring Machine.” He ended his college career as the all-time leader in steals and fourth in career scoring average with 20.0 points per game.
Blanks was drafted in the first round of the 1990 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons and played three seasons in the NBA with the Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves. After his playing career ended, Blanks began a new career path in scouting and management.
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Lance Blanks’ Detailed Post-Playing Career
Blanks worked as the director of scouting for the San Antonio Spurs from 2000 to 2002, and he became the Spurs’ television analyst during the 2004-2005 season. He then moved on to become an assistant general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he worked for five seasons before becoming the general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2010 to 2013.
During his time in Phoenix, Blanks was responsible for drafting several key players, including Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris, and Goran Dragic. He also signed Michael Beasley and Luis Scola to the Suns’ roster.
Blanks was known for his ability to identify and develop talent, which earned him a lot of respect in the basketball community. After leaving the Suns, he continued to work as a basketball analyst for ESPN and the Longhorn Network.
Lance Blanks was a beloved member of the basketball community, and his passing is a tremendous loss. However, we should remember the positive impact he had on the sport and the people he worked with. Blanks’ ability to identify and develop talent earned him respect in the basketball world, and his legacy will continue to live on.
Blanks’ wife, Renee, and their daughters, Riley and Bryn, are grieving their loss. As we mourn with them, we should also celebrate the life of Lance Blanks and the legacy he left behind.