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While often overshadowed by larger programs in the city, La Salle University’s basketball legacy is one of the most storied in the Philadelphia Big Five.
The Northwest Philly school is defined by a Golden Era that cemented the Explorers as a national powerhouse.
In fact, La Salle is one of only a handful of programs to boast both an NCAA Championship (1954) and an NIT Championship (1952), back when the NIT held equal or greater prestige. With legendary players and coaches who have come to the program, La Salle’s basketball legacy deserves its flowers. To pay tribute to one of Philadelphia’s most revered basketball institutions, here are La Salle University’s top basketball icons.
Lionel Simmons (1986–1990)
Affectionately known as “The L-Train,” Lionel Simmons posted one of the most statistically staggering careers in college basketball history. Currently, he is the all-time leading scorer in La Salle history with 3,217 points, which ranks him 4th all-time in NCAA history. Also, he is the only player in NCAA history to score more than 3,000 points and pull down more than 1,400 rebounds.
Simmons was a three-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year, a four-time First-Team All-Big 5 selection, and a three-time Geasey Award winner as the Big 5 MVP, leading La Salle to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Cementing his status as a legendary Explorer, his No. 22 jersey was retired in 1995. He was inducted into the university’s Hall of Athletes that year as well. A year later, he joined the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame, and was named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
After being selected 7th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 1990 NBA Draft, Simpson made an immediate impact in the league. In his rookie year, he averaged 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team and finishing as the runner-up for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Although chronic injuries cut his career short and forced his premature retirement in 1997, Simmons averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in seven seasons with the Kings.
Tom Gola (1951–1955)
Regarded as one of the most versatile players in school history, Tom “Mr. All-Around” Gola had a remarkable career at La Salle.
He led the team to the 1954 NCAA National Championship and the 1952 NIT Championship (back when the NIT carried immense prestige).He led the Explorers to a runner-up finish in the NCAA tournament in 1955.
The consensus National Player of the Year in 1954, Gola was a four-time All-American at La Salle and remains the NCAA’s all-time leading rebounder with 2,201 boards. He is one of only two players in college basketball history to eclipse both 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds, along with Joe Holup of George Washington University.
In honor of his efforts to put La Salle on college basketball’s biggest stage, the school’s home arena once bore his name before it was replaced by John Glaser’s name to honor donations Glaser made to upgrade the facility.
In the NBA, Gola led the Philadelphia Warriors to an NBA Championship in his 1956 rookie season, becoming one of the few players to win an NIT, NCAA, and NBA title. He was selected as an NBA All-Star for five consecutive seasons (1960–1964) and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Michael Brooks (1976–1980)
During the late ’70s, Michael Brooks was putting up incredible numbers for the Explorers. At 6 ‘7 forward, Brooks ranks second on La Salle’s all-time scoring list (2,628 points) and third in rebounds (1,372), making him one of only five players in NCAA history to cross the 2,600-point and 1,300-rebound thresholds. As a senior, he averaged 24.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, winning the 1980 NABC National Player of the Year honors and being a First-Team All-American. Leading La Salle to two appearances in the NCAA Tournaments. He was also chosen as the captain of the 1980 USA Men’s Basketball team. His #32 jerseys hang from the rafters as Brooks was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 1985 and the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1986. Drafted 9th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft by the San Diego Clippers, Brooks averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in his six-season NBA career. Battling back from severe leg injuries, he had a successful career overseas in France. Brooks passed away in 2016.
Ken Durrett (1968–1971)
Ken Durrett was the centerpiece of the famous 1968–69 team that went 23-1 and finished ranked No. 2 in the country during his sophomore season. The season was marred because La Salle was ineligible for the postseason due to NCAA infractions, which remains one of Philadelphia’s great basketball “what-ifs”. As a 6 ‘7 smooth small forward, Durrett averaged 23.6 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, posting 1,679 career points in just three varsity seasons. He graduated as the second-leading scorer and rebounder in program history.
Linda Hester (1982 to 1986)
A standout guard-forward for La Salle from 1982 to 1986, Linda Hester is one of the key women’s basketball players in the program. In her stellar career, Heser dropped 1,490 points over 108 career games; she ranks fifth on the university’s all-time scoring list. Additionally, she holds the top two spots for field goals made in a single season.
During her senior campaign, Hester averaged an impressive 18.8 points per game, driving the Explorers to their second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance and capturing MVP honors at the 1986 MAAC tournament championship. Her exceptional talent also earned her a spot as a candidate for the US national team at the 1985 World University Games. In recognition of her trailblazing impact on the court, Hester was inducted into both the La Salle University Hall of Athletes in 1996 and the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame, and she has been honored as both an Atlantic 10 Legend and Trailblazer.
Tracy Lynn Sneed (1985-1989)
In the late 80s, Tracey Lynn Sneed was putting together a decorated career at La Salle. An efficient 5-foot-11 center, Sneed was a two-time All-Big 5 selection, Sneed averaged 16.7 points per game and was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Year during the 1987–88 season. She also shot 91.5%, setting a school record. In 1988–89, her senior season, Sneed led the Explorers to a berth in the NCAA Tournament and a first-round victory, averaging 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Sneed finished her career with 1,486 career points — making her the third-highest scorer in program history at the time — and she was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 2000.
Doug Overton (1987-1991)
A versatile 6’3″ guard and master playmaker, Doug Overton starred for the Explorers from 1987 to 1991. Teaming up with national player of the year Lionel Simmons, Overton was an engine behind the Explorers to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 30–2 season in 1989–90.
In his career, Overton scored 1,795 points and earned All-Big 5 and All-MAAC honors for three straight seasons. A highly rated distributor and defender, Overton is also the all-time leader in both career assists (671) and steals (277). He was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes. He was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2nd round (40th overall) of the 1991 NBA draft. Overton played in 11 NBA seasons for 8 teams.
Tim Legler (1984-1988)
Tim Legler put together a stellar collegiate career at La Salle from 1984 to 1988. A supreme marksman, Legler scored 1,699 career points across 121 games for the Explorers while shooting an exceptional 45.6% from three-point range.
He was a driving force behind some of the program’s late-1980s success, leading La Salle to the NIT championship game in 1987 and an NCAA tournament appearance in 1988. With his shooting prowess, Legler garnered First Team All-Big 5 honors in 1987 and back-to-back All-MAAC selections. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame in 1995 and the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 1997.
Although he was undrafted, Legeler played 10 years in the NBA (1990–2000) after multiple stints in the CBA. In the 1995–96 season, he led the entire NBA in three-point field goal percentage at an elite 52.2% and took home the 1996 NBA Three-Point Contest trophy during All-Star Weekend.
Rasual Butler (1998-2022)
Rasual Butler put together a legendary four-year career for the Explorers, playing from 1998- 2002. The 6-foot-7 forward became just the sixth player in program history to cross the 2,000-point threshold, finishing his collegiate career with 2,125 points.
He ranks fourth all-time in school history behind iconic National Players of the Year Lionel Simmons, Tom Gola, and Michael Brooks. Additionally, Butler was a two-time First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, and during his senior year averaged 20.9 points and 9.0 rebounds.
He went on to be a second-round pick in the 2002 NBA Draft and spent 13-years in the NBA as one of the league’s top perimeter shooters. He was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 2008. Butler passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy as an all-time great La Salle Explorer.
Donnie Carr (1996-2000)
Donnie Carr put together a prolific career at La Salle University from 1996 to 2000. During his freshman year, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 23.9 points per game to lead the Atlantic 10 and ranked sixth in the nation. He would win the A-10 Rookie of the Year honors.
For three consecutive seasons, Carr finished in the conference’s top four in scoring in all of his four years. Carr is one of only six players in school history to cross the 2,000-point threshold, finishing his career with 2,067 total points. He also established a reputation as an elite perimeter threat, knocking down 308 career three-pointers (ranking second all-time at La Salle) while dishing out 404 assists.
A four-time First Team All-Big 5 honoree, Carr’s dynamic legacy was cemented with his induction into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 2006 and the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 2008. Currently, he’s an assistant on the men’s basketball team at La Salle.
