Willie Smith (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 26, 1953 Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Ed W. Clark (Las Vegas, Nevada) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA Draft | 1976 / Round: 2 / Pick: 18th overall |
| Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
| Pro career | 1976–1984 |
| Career history | |
| 1976 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1977 | Indiana Pacers |
| 1978 | Kentucky Stallions |
| 1978–1979 | Las Vegas Dealers |
| 1978–1979 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 1979 | Jersey Shore Bullets |
| 1979–1980 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 1980–1981 | Montana Golden Nuggets |
| 1982–1983 | Rochester Zeniths |
| 1983–1984 | Sarasota Stingers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
William C. Smith (born October 26, 1953) is a retired American professional basketball player. He was a talented guard who played college basketball at Seminole Junior College and the University of Missouri. At Missouri, he was recognized as an All-American, which means he was one of the best college players in the country.
Smith was known by the nickname "Mister Magic." During the 1976 season, he scored an average of 25.3 points per game. He helped lead the Mizzou basketball team to win the Big Eight Conference championship that year.
Willie Smith's Basketball Career
Playing in the NBA
Willie Smith played in the NBA from 1976 to 1980. He was chosen by the Chicago Bulls as the 18th pick in the second round of the 1976 NBA draft. This draft is where NBA teams pick new players from colleges or other leagues.
During his four years in the NBA, Smith played for several teams. These included the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. On average, he scored 4.6 points, got 1.7 rebounds, and made 3.6 assists per game.
After the NBA
After his time in the NBA, Willie Smith became involved in different business projects. He now lives in Columbia, Missouri. On November 1, 2012, it was announced that Smith would be honored. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on November 15, 2012. This is a special honor for athletes who have achieved great things in sports in Missouri.
