- Professional basketball player.
- Played for the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Detroit Pistons (1970-1971 thru 1979-1980) and Milwaukee Bucks (1979-1980 thru 1983-1984).
- Enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
- All-Rookie Team (1971). Eight-time NBA All-Star (1972-1975, 1977-1979, 1982). All-Star MVP (1974). Walter J. Kennedy Citizenship Award (1978). Oscar Robertson Leadership Award (1984). President NBA Players Association (1980-1984). Jackie Robinson Award for service to youth, good citizenship and leadership (1981). Chairman, NBA Stay in School Program. Enshrined in Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1990).
* - Played for St. Bonaventure (NY) University (1966-1970). Four-year letter winner. Three-time Converse All-America selection (1968-1970). The Sporting News First Team All-America (1970). NABC First Team All-America (1970). Coach & Athlete Magazine Player of the Year (1970). Holiday Festival MVP with record tying 50 points (1969). ECAC Player of the Year (1970). ECAC All-Decade Team (1970-1979). ECAC All-Star (1968-1970)2-year All-American. NABC Second Team All-America (1968). All-time scoring average leader (27.5 ppg). All-time rebounding leader (1,180). All-time rebounding average leader (15.7 rpg). Career field goal percentage leader (57 percent). Retired his jersey number 31 (1970).
- Honored by the Congressional Award in Washington, DC with the 2000 Horizon Award. The Horizon Award is a special recognition from the Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors. The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.
- Special assistant to the Commissioner/Chairman, NBA Team-Up Program (1996-present). (December 2003)
- Father of Walter 'Jack' Lainer, Kimberly Lainer, Tiffany Lainer, Robert Lainer, and Khalia Lainer, and seven grandchildren.
- Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
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