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 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) tall and 170-pound (77 kg) guard. Willie Smith played college basketball at Seminole Junior College and the University of Missouri. There, he was recognized as an All-American, which means he was one of the best players in the country. Smith was known by the nickname "Mister Magic." In 1976, he led his team, the Mizzou Tigers, to win the Big Eight Conference basketball championship, averaging 25.3 points per game.
Contents
Playing Basketball Professionally
Willie Smith started his professional basketball journey in the NBA. He was chosen by the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the 1976 NBA draft. This was the 18th pick overall in that draft.
NBA Career Highlights
Smith played in the NBA from 1976 to 1980. During his four seasons, he played for several teams. These included the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. On average, he scored 4.6 points, grabbed 1.7 rebounds, and made 3.6 assists per game.
Playing in the CBA
After his time in the NBA, Smith continued his career in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He played for the Montana Golden Nuggets during the 1980–81 season. Later, he joined the Rochester Zeniths in the 1982–83 season. His final team in the CBA was the Sarasota Stingers in the 1983–84 season.
In 1981, Willie Smith was named the CBA Most Valuable Player. This award goes to the best player in the league. He was also selected for the All-CBA First Team that same year, recognizing him as one of the top players.
Life After Basketball
Since retiring from professional basketball, Willie Smith has been involved in different business projects. He currently lives in Columbia, Missouri. On November 1, 2012, it was announced that Smith would be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. This special event took place on November 15, 2012, honoring his great achievements in sports.
External links
- Willie Smith NBA stats @ basketballreference.com
See also
In Spanish: Willie Smith (baloncestista) para niños
