How a baseball prodigy traded the diamond for the hardwood
In short: Born to a Hall of Fame baseball legend, Shane Larkin was once destined for the mound. But after a Little League coach dismissed his father's expert training as 'all wrong,' the young athlete pivoted to basketball, eventually finding legendary success in the EuroLeague.
Shane Larkin’s athletic lineage is profound. The son of Barry Larkin, a Hall of Fame shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, Larkin grew up surrounded by baseball royalty, including uncles Stephen and Byron Larkin. In his early years, Larkin even received hitting instruction from Reds legends Tony Pérez and Pete Rose. However, a pivotal moment of friction occurred in elementary school when a Little League coach rejected this specialized training, prompting Larkin to abandon baseball for basketball.
His transition to basketball was marked by both brilliance and personal struggle. After a standout high school career at Dr. Phillips in Orlando, Larkin initially committed to DePaul University. However, a medical condition led him to transfer to the University of Miami, where he utilized meditation and relaxation techniques to manage anxiety. His collegiate tenure was historic; during the 2012–13 season, he helped lead the Hurricanes to their first ACC championship, earning ACC Player of the Year honors.
Larkin’s professional journey saw him navigate the NBA and the highest levels of European basketball. After being drafted 18th overall in 2013 by the Atlanta Hawks, he played for several NBA franchises, including the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics. In 2018, he pivoted to Turkey, signing with Anadolu Efes. There, he achieved monumental feats, including a 49-point single-game scoring record in 2019 and leading Efes to back-to-back EuroLeague championships in 2022.
Now a naturalized Turkish citizen, Larkin has become a cornerstone of the Turkish national team. Despite facing challenges like OCD and various injuries, his impact on the court remains undeniable, recently signing with Fenerbahçe in 2026 to continue his storied European career.
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