Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | Seattle, Washington, U.S. | December 4, 1936
Died | November 18, 2019 Seattle, Washington, U.S. | (aged 82)
Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
Career information | |
High school | Garfield (Seattle, Washington) |
College | Washington (1956–1959) |
NBA draft | 1959: 7th round, 48th overall pick |
Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
Position | Power forward |
Number | 45 |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at Basketball Reference |
John Douglas Smart (December 4, 1936 – November 18, 2019) was an American basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Washington, where he was an All-American as a senior.
Smart was born and raised in Seattle. He played for Garfield High School, where he averaged 26.7 points per game and led the team to a state championship in 1955. Following the close of his high school career, Smart chose the hometown Washington Huskies for college. He was a three-year starter for coach Tippy Dye, averaging 18.9 points and 13.5 rebounds per game for his career.[1] He was named to the All-Pacific Coast Conference (now Pac-12) team each of his three varsity seasons.[2] He was an Associated Press (AP) honorable mention all three years and a third-team All-American by the United Press International (UPI) as a senior in 1959.[3]
Smart finished his career as the school's all-time leading rebounder with 1,051 rebounds (since eclipsed).[4]
Following his college career, he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the seventh round (48th pick overall) of the 1959 NBA draft. Smart decided against pursuing a professional career, instead becoming a dentist.[5]
Smart died on November 18, 2019, at the age of 82.[6]