Following a stellar collegiate career at UNLV that included winning a National Championship, Larry Johnson was tabbed as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft. While Johnson was coming off winning the Naismith College Player of the Year Award, the competition for top pick was stiff. The Hornets debated between Johnson, Georgetown center Dikembe Mutombo, Georgia Tech point guard Kenny Anderson and Syracuse swingman Billy Owens. Johnson won out, and the results were exactly what the Hornets and their fans expected. Johnson brought excitement and was an instant hit. He earned Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 19.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. He earned two All-Star Game appearances in Charlotte, playing five seasons there and five more in New York. Johnson has autographed this No. 1 16" x 20" image in black paint pen. His signature is deemed authentic by virtue of Upper Deck Authenticated's Five Step Process.