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O'Bannon: Play hard every possession

One of the stars of Rick Pitino's first Final Four team at Louisville was Larry O'Bannon. We caught up with the hometown hero for an update on his post-college travels.

You've been playing basketball professionally since 2005; Give fans a quick recap of all the places you've had the opportunity to play and what it has been like for you...

O’Bannon: I've played 4 seasons in Israel, 4 seasons in Argentina, year in France, Serbia, Italy and Bulgaria. It's been pretty neat to live in these different places and experience different cultures. A true geography class coming to life.


If I would have told 22 year old Larry O’ Bannon that he was going to spend 12+ seasons playing basketball professionally all over the world, what would he have said?

O’Bannon: He would’ve said - “That’s pretty cool. Hope I’m in some good places”


Over the years has an opportunity presented itself to come back to the United States to play in either the NBA or the NBA D-League?

O’Bannon: I played in 3 NBA Summer Leagues, but nothing came of it. In my 5th year, we played a preseason game against the New Jersey Nets and that was my only NBA experience


It’s now been 12 years since you last put on a Cardinals Jersey, when you look back on your time at Louisville what stands out to you?

O’Bannon: The atmosphere at the games and the work ethic that I learned


What do you remember most about the 2005 team that made that incredible run to the Final 4?

O’Bannon: The camaraderie that we had as a team and the chemistry we had as a unit


What is your relationship like with Coach Pitino? Have you stayed in contact with any of your former team mates?

O’Bannon: My relationship with Pitino is great, we speak all the time and he will help me on my transition to coaching once I’m done playing


How much have you gotten to keep up with this year’s team? Does the team remind you at all of your’05 Final 4 team?

O’Bannon: I watch when I can. They have a very different team than the 05 team. They are much more athletic and deeper and taller. My team shot the ball a lot better and we were more experienced.


If you could give this year’s team one piece of advice on what it takes to make a run in the tournament what would it be?

O’Bannon: I would tell this year’s team to stay together on good and bad times and play hard every possession and let the chips fall where they may

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