The basketball world is mourning the loss of Dwight “Bo” Lamar, a standout player whose professional career spanned both the ABA and NBA. Lamar passed away on Monday, February 16, at the age of 74.
Louisiana-Lafayette, the university where he made his name in college, confirmed the news to local media outlet KLFY.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Lamar developed into one of the most prolific scorers during his collegiate years. He attended what was then called the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), competing from 1969 to 1973.
During that time, he earned recognition as a three-time All-American, showcasing exceptional talent that helped elevate the program’s profile.
Lamar’s impact was especially notable in 1972 and 1973, when he received first-team All-America honors. Under his leadership on the court, the Ragin’ Cajuns compiled an impressive 90–23 overall record across his four seasons. His scoring prowess contributed significantly to the team’s success and left a lasting mark on the program’s history.
After college, Lamar entered the professional ranks amid the rivalry between the NBA and the ABA. The Detroit Pistons selected him in the third round of the 1973 NBA Draft. However, just a week later, the San Diego Conquistadors chose him as the first overall pick in the ABA’s separate draft for college seniors.
Ultimately, Lamar decided to sign with the ABA, drawn in part by the league’s innovative three-point line, which suited his long-range shooting style. In his debut season with the Conquistadors during 1973-74, he topped the league in three-point attempts with 247 and made 69 of them.
His performance earned him a spot on the ABA All-Rookie team, alongside notable talents such as Swen Nater, John Williamson, Mike Green, and Larry Kenon.
The Conquistadors, coached by basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain that year, benefited from Lamar’s outside shooting and finished as the ABA’s highest-scoring team in points per game. Despite that offensive firepower, the squad struggled to achieve consistent wins, failing to secure a winning record or a playoff berth in 1974-75. The franchise’s troubles continued, and it folded after just 11 games into the 1975-76 campaign.
When the San Diego team disbanded, its players entered a dispersal draft. Lamar landed with the Indiana Pacers in November 1975. He delivered strong production in his final ABA season, averaging 26.3 points per game. Over his three years in the league, he maintained a solid career mark of 25.9 points per contest.
Following the ABA-NBA merger, Lamar was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in October 1976. He appeared in 71 games for the team during that season, contributing 7.4 points and playing about 16.1 minutes per outing. That year marked the conclusion of his professional playing career.
Lamar’s contributions to basketball in Louisiana were widely recognized long after he retired from the court. He received induction into both the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the UL Athletics Hall of Fame. Among Ragin’ Cajuns players, he stands out as one of only two to average more than 20 points per game across three separate seasons.
Bo Lamar’s legacy endures through his remarkable scoring ability, his pioneering use of the three-point shot in the pros, and the pride he brought to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette community.
His passing reminds fans of an era when individual brilliance helped shape the growth of basketball at multiple levels.
