Elmore Smith
From Hoopedia
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| Personal information | ||
| Date of birth: May 9, 1949 | ||
| Place of birth: Macon, Georgia | ||
Nationality:  American
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| Height: 7 ft 0 in | Weight: 250 lbs | |
| Career information | ||
| College: Kentucky State | ||
| NBA Draft: NBA Draft 1971; Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd | ||
| Selected by the Buffalo Braves | ||
| Pro career: 1971-1979 | ||
| Career history | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||
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| Elmore Smith | ||
Elmore Smith (born May 9, 1949 in Macon, Georgia) is a retired American professional basketball player. A 7'0" center from Kentucky State, he played in the National Basketball Association from 1971 to 1979. He was a member of the Buffalo Braves, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith played 562 games in the NBA averaging 13.4 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game.
Smith played basketball at Ballard-Hudson High School in Macon. He went on to lead Kentucky State University to two NAIA championships in 1970 and 1971. He still holds the NAIA records for rebounds in as season (799 in 1971) and career average rebounds per game (22.6).
In his first season in the NBA, Smith averaged 17.3 points per game and 15.2 rebounds per game and was named to the NBA's All-Rookie Team. His rebounding average of 15.2 is still the eighth highest ever by an NBA rookie.
Smith is best remembered for his shot-blocking. He led the league in total blocked shots twice (in 1974 and 1975), and holds the NBA record for most blocked shots in a game, with 17. He achieved this mark against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 28, 1973, while playing for the Lakers. Smith's 4.85 blocks per game from the 1973-74 season (the first season blocked shots were officially recorded in the NBA) is the third highest ever. He was also a skilled rebounder, and he averaged a double-double (13.4 points, 10.6 rebounds) over the course of his career.
