Former NBA guard Larry Hughes is involved in an exciting new career.
The former first-round pick teamed up with former NBA teammate Al Harrington to open a marijuana dispensary in his native Missouri.
The 44-year-old Hughes was drafted eighth overall by the Philadelphia 76ers out of St. Louis University and then played in the NBA from 1998 to 2012.
The 6-foot-5 shooting guard had 14.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 727 regular season games.
In addition to the 76ers, he has played for seven other NBA teams in his career.
Hughes’ peak period came after signing with the Washington Wizards in 2002.
The St. Louis native averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 blocks per game during his three years in Washington, D.C.
He was named to the All-Defensive First Team and led the NBA in steals at the end of the 2004-05 regular season.
The guard also had the opportunity to witness Michael Jordan’s greatness on and off the court, as his first year with the Wizards coincided with Jordan’s second and final farewell tour in 2002-03.
Any business knowledge Hughes gained while sharing a locker room with Airness will come in handy eight years after he left the NBA.
In 2020, Hughes teamed up with Harrington and his cannabis company, Village Brands, to try to set up a dispensary in St. Louis to sell his former Knicks teammate’s Viola products.
Since then, his company, Viola Brands, has opened the Viola STL dispensary, becoming the only Black-owned and operated cannabis company in Missouri.
“I am honored to bring VMO to life in St. Louis,” Hughes said in a statement following the venture’s launch.
“Throughout my NBA career, and since retiring, I have focused my energy and resources on making a positive impact on this community.
“I have been committed to breaking the stigma around mental health and have spent a lot of time helping to develop young leaders in the city.
“VMO will serve the medical needs of our community, particularly those living with debilitating physical and mental illnesses, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I see this next journey as a continuation of the work we have already accomplished and believe VMO will soon become a model business in our community.”
Hughes has been running Viola Brands with business manager Abe Givins.