Hall of Fame
Common name. Uncommon ability. Dominator in low post at 6-7, 225. Master of drop step. First NIU Division I men's cage all-star. Initial Huskie NBA (ninth-round by Los Angeles Lakers in 1969) and ABA (fifth-round by Miami Floridians in 1969) draftee. Traded to Cincinnati Royals (1969-70). Named on NIU All-Century (2000-01) and All-Time Evans Field House (1996-97) units. Posted 967 points, 689 rebounds, 45 double-figure scoring games, 43 twin-digit rebound outings, and 40 point-rebound "double doubles" in 48 career appearances (1967-69). Ranked No. 17 in NCAA boardwork (14.6 rbpg.) as senior and No. 30 (14.1 rbpg.) as junior. Finished career rated among all-time NIU leaders in career rebounding (14.4 rbpg.), career scoring (20.1 ppg.), and season boards (350 in 1968-69). Set school season FTA record (234 in 1967-68). Voted Outstanding Player and All-Citrus Classic with career-high 37 points vs. host Pan American and 33 vs. Western Michigan (1968-69). Made NIU debut with 16 points and 14 rebounds vs. Indiana (12-3-67). Tallied 29 points and 16 rebounds vs. Rudy Tomjanovich and Michigan (12-30-67). Posted 33 points and 11 rebounds vs. Creighton (1-27-69). Muscled 6-11 "Slammin'" Sam Lacey and No. 16 New Mexico State (2-8-69) for 16 points and 20 boards in Chicago Stadium. Two-time team MVP. Team captain as senior. Mineral Area (MO) College and Memphis transfer. Nicknamed "Smitty" or "Big Left." IBCA (2000) and Maine West High (1984) HOFer. Named All-MSL and All-State on 22-3 MWHS quintet (1964-65). Played U. S. Army ball at Camp Lewis (1971).
