Don Smith

Donald Smith (October 10, 1951 – March 9, 2004) was an American professional basketball player.

Smith grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and was a star basketball player at Roth High School in Dayton. He attended the University of Dayton. In 1971–72 as a 6'0" guard, the sophomore had an immediate impact on the team, averaging 20.2 points per game with a .442 field goal percentage and an .861 free throw percentage.

As a junior, Smith averaged 23.4 points per game (tied for second in UD history)

Smith ended his UD career with the career free throw percentage record of .886. He played for the 76ers for just the 1974–75 season. He played in 54 games, averaging exactly 10 minutes per game, and averaged 5.2 points. And remaining true to his college free throw shooting form, he made every one of his 21 free throw attempts.

Smith had been on dialysis for two years and was on Ohio State University 's waiting list for a kidney donor when, after being hospitalized for two weeks with heart problems, he died on March 9, 2004, at age 52. Smith had been seriously injured in an automobile accident several months earlier, and that may have contributed to his death. His wife, Katrina, who was also injured in the accident, survived him.

In 2004, Smith was named to the University of Dayton's All-Century Team.

Career statistics

NBA Source

Regular season Year Team GP GS MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG