Derek Smith: The Best Basketball Player You’ve Never Heard Of

Derek Smith was one of the best players in college basketball but you’ve probably never heard of him. Here’s why.

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Who is Derek Smith?

Derek Smith was one of the best basketball players you’ve never heard of. A 6’6″ swingman from Louisville, Kentucky, Smith played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1979 to 1982. He was a two-time All-American and a member of Pitt’s 1981 National Championship team.

Smith’s professional career was cut short by a tragic automobile accident in 1987, but not before he had established himself as one of the best players in the world. In 1984, he was named to the U.S. Olympic team, and helped lead the team to a gold medal in Los Angeles He also won a gold medal as a member of the 1982 FIBA World Championship team.

Smith was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982, but his NBA Career was cut short by Knee injuries He did manage to play three seasons in Europe before his untimely death.

Derek Smith was one of the most gifted athletes you’ve never heard of. Had it not been for injuries, he would have been one of the best basketball players in the world.

Why is Derek Smith the best basketball player you’ve never heard of?

It seems like every year, there’s a new batch of college basketball players who come into the league and make an immediate impact. But for every Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, there are plenty of talented players who go unnoticed. One of those players is Derek Smith.

Smith is a 6’5″ guard from Detroit, Michigan. He played his college ball at Division II Wayne State University where he was a two-time All-American. Despite his accomplishments in college, Smith went undrafted in 2019. He ended up signing with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G-League, and he averaged 14 points per game while shooting 42% from three-point range

So why is Derek Smith the best basketball player you’ve never heard of? The answer lies in his unique skill set Smith is an incredible shooter, but he’s also an excellent dribbler and passer. He has the ability to take over a game offensively, but he’s also a capable defender. In other words, he has all the tools to be a successful NBA player

The biggest knock on Smith is his lack of size and athleticism. At 6’5″, he’s shorter than most NBA guards, and he doesn’t have the explosiveness that many players at his position possess. But despite those shortcomings, Smith has all the skills necessary to be a successful NBA player It’ll be interesting to see if he can get an opportunity to prove that at the next level.

How did Derek Smith become the best basketball player you’ve never heard of?

In a small town in Upstate New York there was a young man who loved basketball. He played all the time, either by himself or with friends. He dreamed of one day playing in the NBA, but he knew that it would be a long shot.

Derek Smith was that young man And against all odds, he made it to the NBA.

But how? How did Derek Smith go from being a small-town nobody to an NBA star?

The answer is hard work and dedication. Derek Smith worked tirelessly on his game, and it paid off. He became one of the best players in his region, and then he caught the eye of some big-time college programs.

From there, it was only a matter of time until he made it to the NBA. And the rest, as they say, is history.

What makes Derek Smith such a great basketball player?

Derek Smith was one of the best basketball players you’ve Never Heard of. A 6’6″ guard/forward from Louisville, Kentucky, Smith played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1980-1984. He was a two-time All-American and a member of Pitt’s 1984 National Championship team. He was also named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four that year.

Smith went on to have a brief but successful professional career, playing for several teams in the NBA and Europe before his untimely death in 1996 at the age of 32.

So what made Derek Smith such a great basketball player?

For starters, he was an excellent scorer. He averaged over 20 points per game in both his junior and senior seasons at Pitt, and he scored over 1,000 points in his brief NBA career

But Smith was more than just a scorer. He was also an outstanding rebounder and passer. He averaged nearly 8 rebounds per game during his senior season at Pitt, and he recorded 5 or more assists in nearly one-third of the games he played in the NBA.

In addition to his scoring, rebounding, and passing abilities, Smith was also known for his tenacious defense. He was often matched up against the opposition’s best scorer, and he frequently held them below their season average.

So what made Derek Smith such a great basketball player? His scoring ability, rebounding ability, passing ability, and defensive prowess made him one of the best players of his generation…and one of the best players you’ve never heard of.

What are some of Derek Smith’s career highlights?

Derek Smith was an American Professional Basketball player who enjoyed a successful career in both the NBA and Europe.

A 6’7″ small forward Smith was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1982 but saw little playing time in his two seasons with the team. He subsequently moved to Europe, where he enjoyed a highly successful career with various teams in Italy, Greece and Spain.

In his eight seasons in Europe, Smith averaged over 20 points per game and was twice named MVP of the Spanish League He also represented the United States at the 1990 FIBA World Championship winning a bronze medal.

Smith returned to the NBA in 1992, signing with the expansion Miami Heat He enjoyed a successful season with the team, averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game However, his career was cut short when he suffered a heart attack and died at just 29 years of age.

How has Derek Smith’s career progressed?

Derek Smith was once one of the most promising Ung Basketball players in the country. A McDonald’s All-American in High School he went on to star at the University of Louisville where he was named a first-team All-American as a junior.

But after suffering a devastating Knee Injury early in his senior year, Smith’s career never quite got back on track. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in 1982, but played just four seasons in the NBA before injuries forced him to retire.

Since then, Smith has largely flown under the radar. But he still remains one of the most talented players of his generation, and many believe that if not for injuries, he could have been one of the all-time greats.

What are Derek Smith’s future goals?

Derek Smith was born in 1976, in Mount Vernon New York. He attended the University of Pittsburgh on a full basketball scholarship and was drafted into the NBA in 1998. After a few years bouncing around the league, he landed on the Sacramento Kings in 2002. He played there for four seasons before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 2006. He played one season with the Magic and then decided to retire from the NBA.

Derek Smith’s goals after retirement included opening up a chain of car washes and starting his own clothing line He has also done some coaching, working with both AAU teams and high school teams.

What impact has Derek Smith had on the game of basketball?

Derek Smith was one of the best basketball players you’ve never heard of. A 6’3″ guard from Louisville, Kentucky, Smith was a key player on the University of Louisville’s 1982 NCAA championship team. After a brief stint in the NBA, Smith returned to Louisville and played for several years in Europe before his untimely death in 1996.

Smith was an excellent all-around player who could score, rebound, and defend with the best of them. He was especially known for his shooting ability, which helped him average over 20 points per game during his collegiate career. While he never reached the same heights in the NBA, Smith was still a very good player who had a significant impact on the game of basketball

Derek Smith’s legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments on the court. He was an excellent role model and teacher, both on and off the court. He worked tirelessly to promote the game of basketball and to help others learn and grow as players. His work has had a lasting impact on the sport, and he is still revered by many as one of the best Basketball Players you’ve never heard of.

What do others think of Derek Smith?

In his prime, Derek Smith was one of the best basketball players in the world. A 6’6″ guard/forward for the Louisville Cardinals Smith was a two-time All-American and a member of the 1982 NCAA championship team. He went on to have a successful career in the NBA, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets

Sadly, Derek Smith died tragically young, at just 35 years old. But despite his short life, he left a lasting impression on those who knew him and those who watched him play. In particular, his former coach Rick Pitino has nothing but good things to say about him.

“Derek Smith was the best player I ever coached,” Pitino said after Smith’s death. “He was as fine a human being as I’ve ever been around.”

Pitino isn’t the only one who feels that way about Smith. His former teammates also speak highly of him, both as a player and as a person.

“Derek was an incredible teammate,” said Louisville teammate Jerry Eaves. “He was always looking out for everybody else.”

“On the court, he could do it all,” said Cliff Robinson another former teammate. “But what I’ll remember most about Derek is what a good person he was.”

It’s clear that Derek Smith was not only an amazing basketball player but also an amazing human being. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Where can you find out more about Derek Smith?

Derek Smith was a 6’6″ shooting guard who played for the Louisville Cardinals from 1988 to 1992. He was a two-time All-American, and his number (23) is retired by the school. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the 1992 NBA draft but his career was cut short by a heart condition. He died in 1996 at the age of 25.

Despite his brief career, Derek Smith was considered one of the best players in College Basketball during his time at Louisville. He was known for his shooting, athleticism, and defense. If you’re looking to learn more about Derek Smith, you can check out some of the following resources:

-The Louisville Cardinals website has a page dedicated to Smith, with highlights and photos: http://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/derek-smith/2349
-The New York Times wrote an obituary for Derek Smith when he passed away: http://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/02/sports/derek-smith-college-star-and-nba-rookie-dies-at-25.html
-‘Remembering Derek Smith’, a documentary about Smith’s life and career, was released in 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pztA1xMfNXQ