Lawrence Abney is an American former professional basketball player and current player development coach/ basketball operations assistant for the Los Angeles Clippers. Born in Nyack, New York, he was nicknamed Birdman throughout his career for his athleticism.
High school career
Abney attended Nyack High School in Nyack, New York. As a junior in 1993–94, he averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game as he earned fourth team all-state honors. As a senior in 1994–95, he averaged 18.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game as he earned honorable mention All-America honors from USA Today as well as first team all-state honors. In April 1995, he signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Fresno State University.
College career
After sitting out the 1995–96 season while meeting NCAA eligibility requirements, Abney spent his freshman season at Fresno City College in 1996–97 where he helped the Rams to their first Central Valley Conference title since 1987 and a berth in the state final four. In 34 games, he averaged 10.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. In 1997, Abney returned to Fresno State where as a sophomore in 1997–98, he was one of three players to play in all 34 games, starting in 13. He posted seven double-digit scoring games and had three double-doubles. In those 34 games, he averaged 5.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. In his junior season, he finished second on the team in field goal percentage with.559 and spent two weeks as an American representative on the People to People basketball tour in Greece. In 33 games, he averaged 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. In his senior season, he was named to the All-WAC second team after he helped Fresno State win the Western Athletic Conference championship. In 34 games, he averaged 10.3 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. On February 17, 2000, he broke an NCAA record when he pulled down a staggering 35 rebounds in a game against Southern Methodist University – the most in a single game since 1965.
In August 2005, Abney signed with the Townsville Crocodiles for the 2005–06 NBL season. He went on to be named to the All-NBL first team and garnered NBL All-Star honors. On February 10, 2006, he re-signed with the Crocodiles on a two-year deal. Later that month, he joined Étendard de Brest of France for the rest of the 2005–06 LNB Pro A season. In 2006–07, he was again an NBL All-Star honoree and was named to the All-NBL second team. In March 2007, he joined Al Jaish Damascus of Syria. On April 19, 2007, he signed a new two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans, reportedly leaving the Crocodiles for more money. In 2007–08, he was again an NBL All-Star honoree. On December 11, 2008, Abney was released by the Taipans because the club could not longer afford him, fellow import Dave Thomas or head coach Alan Black. The Taipans did continue playing, however, only after the entire team agreed to a blanket 45 per cent pay cut for the rest of the season.
Europe and Argentina (2009–2010)
On January 19, 2009, Abney signed with EiffelTowers Den Bosch for the rest of the 2008–09 season. In the summer of 2009, he signed with Ciclista Olímpico of Argentina for the 2009–10 season. In November 2009, he left Ciclista Olímpico and signed with Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca. In December 2009, he left Estudiantes after seven games. In February 2010, he signed with Halcones Rojos Veracruz of Mexico but left after just eight games. On March 18, 2010, he signed with BC Khimik of the Ukrainian Basketball SuperLeague. However, on April 8, 2010, he was waived by Khimik after just four games. In the summer of 2010, he signed with Gimnasia y Esgrima of Argentina for the 2010–11 season. In November 2010, he left Gimnasia. The next month, he received a try-out from BC Odessa of the Ukraine.
Return to NBL (2012)
On January 11, 2012, Abney signed with the Southland Sharks for the 2012 New Zealand NBL season. On October 2, 2012, Abney returned to the Townsville Crocodiles, signing with the club for the 2012–13 NBL season. However, on November 28, 2012, he announced his retirement on advice from his surgeon, who discovered a small hole in his thigh bone. He managed just nine games for the Crocodiles in 2012–13, averaging 4.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.
Corporate career
Following his retirement from professional basketball, Abney transitioned into corporate America, eventually earning a position as a District Sales Manager for Pepsico FritoLay North America, where he remained until 2017.
Los Angeles Clippers
In 2017, Abney joined the staff of the Los Angeles Clippers as a player development coach and basketball operations assistant under head coach Glenn "Doc" Rivers.
Personal
Abney is the son of Robin Hauser. He has one younger brother, three younger sisters, and four sons. In 2017 he received his Masters in Business Administration from the Craig School of Business. In 2018 alongside childhood friends, former teammates, and fellow Rockland, NY natives Steve Canal and Chester Felts, Abney co-founded Rockland Legacy, an organization that provides support and mentorship to help Rockland County's youth achieve their dreams.
