Larry Smith (basketball, born 1958) facts for kids
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Smith with the Golden State Warriors during the 1987-88 season
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 18, 1958 Rolling Fork, Mississippi, U.S. |
| High school | Simmons (Hollandale, Mississippi) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Alcorn State (1976–1980) |
| NBA Draft | 1980 / Round: 2 / Pick: 24th overall |
| Selected by the Golden State Warriors | |
| Pro career | 1980–1993 |
| Coaching career | 1993–2011 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1980–1989 | Golden State Warriors |
| 1989–1992 | Houston Rockets |
| 1992–1993 | San Antonio Spurs |
| As coach: | |
| 1993–2003 | Houston Rockets (assistant) |
| 2003–2004 | Atlanta Hawks (assistant) |
| 2004–2005 | Los Angeles Lakers (assistant) |
| 2005–2006 | Albuquerque Thunderbirds (assistant) |
| 2006–2007 | Anaheim Arsenal |
| 2007 | Austin Toros (assistant) |
| 2008 | Los Angeles Sparks (assistant) |
| 2008–2011 | Alcorn State |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player
As assistant coach:
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 5,904 (6.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 8,125 (9.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 941 (1.1 apg) |
Larry Smith (born January 18, 1958) is a former professional basketball player from the United States. Standing 6 feet 8 inches tall, he played as a forward and center. Smith spent 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1980 to 1993. He played for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. Smith was known as "Mr. Mean" and was one of the best rebounders in the 1980s. He averaged 9.2 rebounds per game during his career.
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Larry Smith: A Basketball Star
Larry Smith was picked by the Golden State Warriors in the 1980 NBA draft. He quickly became known for his amazing rebounding skills. In his first year, he was even named to the NBA All-Rookie Team. This showed he was one of the best new players in the league.
Playing in the NBA
Smith earned the nickname "Mr. Mean" because of how he played. Off the court, he was a nice and quiet person. But during games, especially when grabbing rebounds, he looked very serious and determined. This contrast made him popular with fans.
Fans in Golden State and Houston even created fan clubs for him. They would come to games wearing hard hats and holding signs that said "Larry's Local 13." This showed how much they appreciated his hard work. Towards the end of his playing career, Smith was praised for stepping up when star player Hakeem Olajuwon was injured. He helped the Houston Rockets a lot during that time.
From Player to Coach
After his playing career, Larry Smith became a basketball coach. He worked as an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets from 1993 to 2002. During this time, he helped the Rockets win two NBA championships in a row, in 1994 and 1995.
After his time with the Rockets, Smith continued coaching. He was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks in 2003. In 2004, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach. He also coached in the NBA D-League (now G League) for teams like the Albuquerque Thunderbirds and the Austin Toros. He even coached the Anaheim Arsenal as their head coach.
In 2008, Smith became an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Later that year, he was named the head basketball coach for Alcorn State University, his old college. In 2011, he moved to a new role at the school, becoming the director of athletic development.
Amazing Rebounding Records
Larry Smith holds an impressive NBA record. He shares the record for the most offensive rebounds in a single quarter. On March 23, 1986, he grabbed 11 offensive rebounds in one quarter against the Denver Nuggets. This record is tied with another famous player, Charles Barkley.
See also
In Spanish: Larry Smith (baloncestista de 1958) para niños
- List of NBA single-game rebounding leaders
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season rebounding leaders
