Mike Gminski
Encyclopedia
Michael Thomas Gminski (born August 3, 1959 in Monroe, Connecticut
) is a retired American college and professional basketball
player. Gminski played his high school ball for Masuk High School in Monroe, CT. From there he played four seasons with the Duke
Blue Devils, from 1977 to 1980. He led the team in scoring during his junior and senior years. Gminski was named the ACC
Rookie of the Year (tied) in 1977, first team All-ACC three years, 1978, 1979, and 1980, and ACC Player of the Year in 1979. He was also named an AP Second Team All-American in 1979 and 1980, and a UPI First Team All-American in 1979 and Second Team All-American in 1980.
At the time of graduation, he was the Duke career leader in points (2,323), rebounds (1,242), and blocked shots (345). As of early 2006, he is seventh all time in the ACC in points and rebounds. He is sixth in blocked shots all-time in the ACC and second in Duke history, respectively. He is also second in Duke career rebounds behind Shelden Williams
and fourth in points behind J. J. Redick, Johnny Dawkins
, and Christian Laettner
. His jersey number '43' is retired by the Duke men's basketball team. In 2002, Gminski was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team
as one of the 50 greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference
history.
As of March 28, 2010, he was tied for sixth-most career double-figure scoring games at Duke with Grant Hill
, behind Jon Scheyer
.
Gminski was drafted in the first round by the New Jersey Nets
of the NBA. He played for the Nets from 1981 to 1988. He went on to play with the Philadelphia 76ers
, as well as the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks
. He wore jersey No 42 throughout his career and only got to wear No 43 (his Duke number) in his final 8 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 10 points in his final NBA game.
Gminski was an exceptional free throw
shooter, especially compared to other big men (Gminski is 6'11"/2.11 m). During his career, he converted over 84% of his attempts.
Monroe, Connecticut
Monroe is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 19,479 at the 2010 census. The current first selectman is Steve Vavrek....
) is a retired American college and 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. Gminski played his high school ball for Masuk High School in Monroe, CT. From there he played four seasons with the Duke
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
Blue Devils, from 1977 to 1980. He led the team in scoring during his junior and senior years. Gminski was named the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Rookie of the Year (tied) in 1977, first team All-ACC three years, 1978, 1979, and 1980, and ACC Player of the Year in 1979. He was also named an AP Second Team All-American in 1979 and 1980, and a UPI First Team All-American in 1979 and Second Team All-American in 1980.
At the time of graduation, he was the Duke career leader in points (2,323), rebounds (1,242), and blocked shots (345). As of early 2006, he is seventh all time in the ACC in points and rebounds. He is sixth in blocked shots all-time in the ACC and second in Duke history, respectively. He is also second in Duke career rebounds behind Shelden Williams
Shelden Williams
Shelden DeMar Williams is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New York Knicks...
and fourth in points behind J. J. Redick, Johnny Dawkins
Johnny Dawkins
-External links:*...
, and Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner
Christian Donald Laettner is a retired American professional basketball player and entrepreneur. He had a distinguished college and national career, and played in the National Basketball Association for thirteen seasons, from 1992–2005. He is presently a minority holder for the Major League...
. His jersey number '43' is retired by the Duke men's basketball team. In 2002, Gminski was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team
ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team
In 2002 the Atlantic Coast Conference selected 50th anniversary teams for most of its sports. The 50-member men's basketball team was voted on by a 120-member blue-ribbon committee that was selected by the league's 50th Anniversary Committee....
as one of the 50 greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
history.
As of March 28, 2010, he was tied for sixth-most career double-figure scoring games at Duke with Grant Hill
Grant Hill
Grant Hill is the name of:* Grant Hill, American basketball player* Grant Hill , Canadian politician* Grant Hill, San Diego, California, an urban neighboorhood in central San Diego...
, behind Jon Scheyer
Jon Scheyer
Jonathan James "Jon" Scheyer is an American-Israeli professional basketball player. He plays shooting guard for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Super League in that competition, the Adriatic League, and the Euroleague...
.
Gminski was drafted in the first round by the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
of the NBA. He played for the Nets from 1981 to 1988. He went on to play with 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...
, as well as the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
. He wore jersey No 42 throughout his career and only got to wear No 43 (his Duke number) in his final 8 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 10 points in his final NBA game.
Gminski was an exceptional free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
shooter, especially compared to other big men (Gminski is 6'11"/2.11 m). During his career, he converted over 84% of his attempts.
See also
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds