Charles D. Smith
Encyclopedia
Charles Daniel Smith is a retired American
professional basketball
player in the NBA.
Player of the Year. Smith led a revitalized University of Pittsburgh
basketball program as it moved into a national spotlight. Along with power forward
Jerome Lane
, Charles Smith and the Pitt Basketball Team
became a major force in college basketball
. However, the Panthers were never able to win a national championship
during Smith's tenure.
He played for the US national team in the 1986 FIBA World Championship
, which won the gold medal
. and the 1988 Olympics
which won a bronze medal
.
was selected third overall in the 1988 NBA Draft
by the Philadelphia 76ers
but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
. After four years with the Clippers where he was among the team's top scorers and rebounders, he was traded to the New York Knicks
with Doc Rivers
and Bo Kimble
for point guard
Mark Jackson
. Smith was expected to fill the hole at small forward
left by Xavier McDaniel
after the Knicks failed to re-sign him after their successful 1991–92 season, a role that Smith struggled in as he was primarily a power forward (a role which Charles Oakley
had already filled). As Smith's stats declined, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
for J. R. Reid
before retiring in 1997 due to knee injuries.
As a member of the Knicks, Smith is infamous for being blocked four consecutive times directly under the basket as he attempted to give New York the lead in Game Five of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals
against the Chicago Bulls
. After taking a 2–0 lead in the series, the Knicks lost games three and four in Chicago
. With a chance to take a 3–2 series lead at the Madison Square Garden
, Smith's attempts were hampered by Michael Jordan
, Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen
in the final seconds, becoming one of the most notorious and disappointing moments in Knicks history. The Knicks then lost Game Six and the series in Chicago to complete an epic collapse, while the Bulls moved on to defeat the Phoenix Suns
in the NBA Finals
and win their third consecutive championship. However, he was with the Knicks the following year when they defeated the Bulls in the second round, but lost in the Finals
to the Houston Rockets
.
Smith was once a regional representative for the NBA Players Association. He ran a software company for about six years. He is currently getting his Masters in management, finishing up over at Seton Hall University
.
He was recently elected the executive Director of the NBRPA (National Basketball Retired Players Association), an important role in promoting basketball's image. Other major works of the NBRPA are community service, providing health care, fostering charitable activities and creating revenue-earning opportunities for retired professional basketball players.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in the NBA.
College career
As a college player, Smith was named Big EastBig East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
Player of the Year. Smith led a revitalized University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
basketball program as it moved into a national spotlight. Along with power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
Jerome Lane
Jerome Lane
Jerome Lane is a retired American professional basketball player. Lane attended Akron Saint Vincent-Saint Mary High School. He played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh, where he led the Big East Conference in rebounding during the 1986-87 and the 1987-88 regular seasons. He led the...
, Charles Smith and the Pitt Basketball Team
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball
Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt men's basketball team competes in the Big East Conference and plays their home games in...
became a major force in college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
. However, the Panthers were never able to win a national championship
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
during Smith's tenure.
He played for the US national team in the 1986 FIBA World Championship
1986 FIBA World Championship
The 1986 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Spain from July 5 to 19 1986.The Final phase of the tournament was held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid...
, which won the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
. and the 1988 Olympics
Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 1988 Summer Olympics took place at the Jamsil Gymnasium in Seoul, South Korea. The United States won the gold medal in the women's competition, thus repeating their performance from the 1984 tournament. In the men's tournament, the Soviet Union took home their second gold medal in...
which won a bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
.
NBA career
After his college career the 6'10", 230 lb power forwardPower forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
was selected third overall in the 1988 NBA Draft
1988 NBA Draft
The 1988 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1988 in New York City, New York. The length was reduced from seven rounds in the previous year to three rounds.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Notable undrafted players:...
by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. After four years with the Clippers where he was among the team's top scorers and rebounders, he was traded to the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
with Doc Rivers
Doc Rivers
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the NBA's Boston Celtics. Rivers was known for his defense while playing in the NBA...
and Bo Kimble
Bo Kimble
Gregory Kevin "Bo" Kimble is a retired American college basketball player at Loyola Marymount University and professional National Basketball Association player with the Los Angeles Clippers and New York Knicks...
for point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson (basketball)
Mark A. Jackson is a retired American professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He played point guard for the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Houston Rockets in the NBA in a career...
. Smith was expected to fill the hole at small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
left by Xavier McDaniel
Xavier McDaniel
Xavier Maurice McDaniel , nicknamed the X-Man, is a retired American National Basketball Association player who, at 6 ft 7 in, played both small forward and power forward, and former head coach of the Riders Slamball team.-College:While at Wichita State, McDaniel was the first person to...
after the Knicks failed to re-sign him after their successful 1991–92 season, a role that Smith struggled in as he was primarily a power forward (a role which Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley is a retired American professional basketball player and is currently an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association...
had already filled). As Smith's stats declined, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
for J. R. Reid
J. R. Reid
Herman Reid, Jr., better known as J. R. Reid , is a retired American professional basketball player for several NBA teams...
before retiring in 1997 due to knee injuries.
As a member of the Knicks, Smith is infamous for being blocked four consecutive times directly under the basket as he attempted to give New York the lead in Game Five of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals
1993 NBA Playoffs
The 1993 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1992-1993 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls winning their third consecutive championship by defeating the Western Conference champion Phoenix Suns four...
against the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. After taking a 2–0 lead in the series, the Knicks lost games three and four in Chicago
Chicago Stadium
The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
. With a chance to take a 3–2 series lead at the Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, Smith's attempts were hampered by Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
, Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen
Scottie Maurice Pippen is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association . He is most remembered for his time with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he was instrumental in six NBA Championships and their record 1995–96 season of 72 wins...
in the final seconds, becoming one of the most notorious and disappointing moments in Knicks history. The Knicks then lost Game Six and the series in Chicago to complete an epic collapse, while the Bulls moved on to defeat the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
in the NBA Finals
1993 NBA Finals
The 1993 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1992-93 NBA season, featuring the Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, and the Phoenix Suns, winners of 62 games and led by regular season MVP Charles Barkley...
and win their third consecutive championship. However, he was with the Knicks the following year when they defeated the Bulls in the second round, but lost in the Finals
1994 NBA Finals
The 1994 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1993–94 National Basketball Association season, featuring the Western Conference's Houston Rockets defeating the Eastern Conference's New York Knicks....
to the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
.
Post-retirement
In 1989, Smith founded the Charles D. Smith Foundation and Educational Center, in which the building was the first City Hall in the Northeast, and was later converted into a library. The after school center was created for inner-city school children from kindergarten to 9th grades to improve academics and offer a place for youth to get off the streets. Located in Smith's hometown of Bridgeport, it was his dream since playing at Pitt to operate the center that still stands today.Smith was once a regional representative for the NBA Players Association. He ran a software company for about six years. He is currently getting his Masters in management, finishing up over at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
.
He was recently elected the executive Director of the NBRPA (National Basketball Retired Players Association), an important role in promoting basketball's image. Other major works of the NBRPA are community service, providing health care, fostering charitable activities and creating revenue-earning opportunities for retired professional basketball players.