Elmore Smith facts for kids
Smith (left) and Wilt Chamberlain battle for a rebound, circa 1971
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1949 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| High school | Ballard-Hudson (Macon, Georgia) |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Kentucky State (1968–1971) |
| NBA Draft | 1971 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall |
| Selected by the Buffalo Braves | |
| Pro career | 1971–1979 |
| Career history | |
| 1971–1973 | Buffalo Braves |
| 1973–1975 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 1975–1977 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 1977–1979 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 7,541 (13.4 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 5,962 (10.6 rpg) |
| Blocks | 1,183 (2.9 bpg) |
Elmore Smith (born May 9, 1949) is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Macon, Georgia. Standing 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) tall, he played as a center. Elmore Smith played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1971 to 1979. He was known for his amazing shot-blocking skills.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
Elmore Smith was born in Macon, Georgia. He went to Ballard-Hudson High School in Macon. When he was a freshman, he was only 5 feet 11 inches tall. He didn't make the basketball team back then.
But over the next two years, Elmore grew a lot! He reached 7 feet tall. His principal even told him he had to play basketball because he was so tall. Even though he was tall, he didn't play much in high school. He only got a few scholarship offers for college.
College Career at Kentucky State
Smith decided to go to Kentucky State University. He quickly became one of the best rebounders in college basketball history.
He helped his team win the NAIA Championship twice, in 1970 and 1971. He even set a record for most rebounds in a season, with 799 rebounds in 1971. That's a record for all college divisions!
During his college years, Smith averaged over 21 points and 22 rebounds per game. He left college in 1971 to join the NBA.
NBA Career Highlights
Elmore Smith was picked by the Buffalo Braves as the 3rd overall player in the 1971 NBA Draft.
Rookie Season and Early Success
In his first year (1971–72), Smith was fantastic. He averaged 17.3 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. He was even named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. His rebounding average that season is still one of the best for an NBA rookie.
In his second season with the Braves, he continued to play well. He averaged 18.3 points and 12.4 rebounds.
Joining the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1973, Smith was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. This is where he became famous for his shot-blocking.
The 1973–74 season was the first time the NBA officially counted blocked shots. Smith led the league with 4.9 blocks per game. He also set an amazing record that season. On October 28, 1973, he blocked 17 shots in one game against the Portland Trail Blazers! This record still stands today.
Smith played two seasons with the Lakers. He averaged 10.9 points and 10.9 rebounds in his second year there.
Moving to Milwaukee and Cleveland
In 1975, Smith was part of a big trade. He moved to the Milwaukee Bucks. Later, in 1977, he was traded again to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Cavaliers, he continued to be a strong player. He averaged 12.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in the 1976–77 season.
The "Rejector" and Career End
Elmore Smith was known as "Elmore the Rejector" because of his incredible shot-blocking. He led the NBA in total blocked shots twice. His average of 4.85 blocks per game in 1973–74 is the third highest ever recorded.
He was also a great rebounder. Over his career, he averaged a double-double (13.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per game).
Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his career. He played his last season in 1978–79.
NBA Career Statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–72 | Buffalo | 78 | - | 40.8 | .454 | - | .534 | 15.2 | 1.4 | - | - | 17.3 |
| 1972–73 | Buffalo | 76 | - | 37.2 | .482 | - | .558 | 12.4 | 2.5 | - | - | 18.3 |
| 1973–74 | Los Angeles | 81 | - | 36.1 | .457 | - | .590 | 11.2 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 4.9* | 12.5 |
| 1974–75 | Los Angeles | 74 | - | 31.6 | .493 | - | .485 | 10.9 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 10.9 |
| 1975–76 | Milwaukee | 78 | - | 36.0 | .518 | - | .632 | 11.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 15.6 |
| 1976–77 | Milwaukee | 34 | - | 23.2 | .447 | - | .581 | 6.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 8.4 |
| 1976–77 | Cleveland | 36 | - | 18.8 | .504 | - | .519 | 6.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 8.7 |
| 1977–78 | Cleveland | 81 | - | 24.6 | .497 | - | .663 | 8.4 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 12.5 |
| 1978–79 | Cleveland | 24 | - | 13.8 | .531 | - | .692 | 4.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 6.5 |
| Career | 562 | - | 31.8 | .482 | - | .579 | 10.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 13.4 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973–74 | Los Angeles | 5 | - | 34.2 | .477 | - | .706 | 10.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 19.2 |
| 1975–76 | Milwaukee | 3 | - | 34.7 | .556 | - | .667 | 7.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 14.7 |
| 1976–77 | Cleveland | 3 | - | 18.7 | .545 | - | .625 | 8.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 13.7 |
| 1977–78 | Cleveland | 2 | - | 28.0 | .458 | - | .500 | 9.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 12.5 |
| Career | 13 | - | 29.8 | .500 | - | .654 | 9.1 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 15.8 | |
Life After Basketball
Elmore Smith has three daughters. After his basketball career, he stayed in the Cleveland area.
In 2006, he started a barbecue sauce business. He had been making sauces for his family and friends for years. You can find his sauces at Elmore Smith's Smokehouse Restaurant. It's located inside Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, where the Cavaliers play.
Smith is often seen at Cavaliers games, cheering on his former team.
Awards and Recognition
Elmore Smith has received many honors for his basketball career:
- In 2002, he was inducted into the Kentucky State Athletics Hall of Fame.
- He joined the Georgia Hall of Fame in 2008.
- In 2014, he was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 2017, he was honored in the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Elmore Smith para niños
- List of National Basketball Association annual blocks leaders
