Lawrence Tanter (1949 – September 23, 2026), also known as L.T., was an American public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). While working with the Lakers, he was a longtime disc jockey and program director at both jazz and rhythm and blues radio stations in Los Angeles.
Early life
Tanter was born in Chicago in 1949. He played basketball in high school, as well as the saxophone and clarinet. A 6-foot-7-inch (2.01 m) forward, he earned an athletic scholarship to play college basketball at the University of Dubuque. He worked at the college radio station after responding to an ad for a host for a Sunday night jazz program.
Professional career
Tanter began working at radio station KJLH in Los Angeles in 1972, before joining KUTE and driving their quiet storm format.
He began working as the Lakers' public address announcer at the start of the NBA's 1982–83 season and became a fixture at Laker home games. He was the longest tenured Lakers PA announcer. During his tenure behind the microphones of both The Forum and Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers won 9 NBA championships, and he called 14 NBA Finals series. His signature call was "Llllaker Girlsss" after the team's dance squad completed a performance and scampered off the court.
Tanter resigned from the Lakers in 1993, when he became co-owner of KQBR in Sacramento, California. He moved back to Los Angeles and returned to the Lakers in 1995, after missing two seasons.
When the WWE fought with the Denver Nuggets over an arena booking for a playoff game in 2009, Tanter was recruited as guest ring announcer for the main event of a newly relocated Raw at Staples Center. In the match, five heel (villain) wrestlers in Denver Nuggets jerseys competed against five face (hero) wrestlers in Los Angeles Lakers jerseys, and the Lakers team won. Soon afterward, the Lakers eliminated the Nuggets in the 2009 Western Conference Finals 4–2. They then went on to defeat the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals and capture their 15th NBA title.
Tanter played an instrumental role in re-creating a home feel for Lakers "home" games in the 2020 NBA Bubble, as the league returned to action following a hiatus due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In July, Tanter recorded an array of starting lineup introductions, accounting for potential lineup variations and team highlights, at a home studio in Los Angeles. Matt Shelton, the Lakers' director of game entertainment, pieced
together Tanter's tracks with Adobe Audition editing software. As the Lakers advanced in the postseason, Tanter's voice was a part of the game presentation. The Lakers went on to win their 17th NBA championship.
He is known for his smooth baritone voice and affinity for jazz music. His other on-air work in Los Angeles included KTWV. He served as program director at KUTE, KACE, and KKJZ. Additionally, he served as the announcer for LTV, the Lakers pregame show on KCAL-TV, during the Lakers time with that station.
After more than 40 seasons with the Lakers, Tanter retired from his role as public address announcer at the conclusion of the 2025–26 season, citing health issues, which caused him to miss the remaining six games of that season plus the playoffs. He remained with the Lakers as an advisor focusing on game presentation until his death.
Death
Tanter died on September 23, 2026, at the age of 76. He had reportedly suffered a stroke in March 2026, causing him to miss several of the Lakers' games towards the end of the season.