The University of Kentucky is mourning the loss of a true legend. Adrian ‘Odie’ Smith, a cornerstone of Kentucky’s storied history and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, passed away on April 28. He was 89 years old. The university released a statement Monday announcing the passing.
Smith leaves behind a legacy that stretches from the bluegrass of Lexington to the Olympic podium in Rome, and all the way to the NBA record books. So, if it’s a name you are unfamiliar with, here is everything you need to know.
A champion in Lexington
Smith transferred to Kentucky from Northeast Mississippi Junior College and made a huge impact. Playing under Adolph Rupp during the 1957-58 season, Smith was a beloved member of the iconic ‘Fiddlin’ Five’ that captured the 1958 NCAA National Championship.
He was a steady presence, averaging 10.2 points across 51 total games. When the lights were brightest, Smith delivered, elevating his game to average nearly 14 points per contest during UK’s four-game run to the national title.
UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart released a statement honoring Smith’s profound impact on the university:
“Odie holds a special place in the history, and the treasured heritage, of Kentucky Basketball. His accomplishments on the court – the NCAA championship at UK, two gold medals representing the United States in international competition, and his 11-year pro career – speak for themselves. What I remember most about Odie is that he had such a positive presence. He was a bright light wherever he went, always smiling, always cheerful, and most of all, so incredibly proud that he had played for the Wildcats.”
Military service and Olympic gold
Smith’s path to professional stardom was anything but conventional. After a brief, unsuccessful stint with the Cincinnati Royals, who drafted him in the 15th round, Smith joined the US Army.
While serving his country, he was selected to represent the United States at the Pan American Games in Chicago, winning a gold medal. That earned him a spot on the legendary 1960 U.S. Olympic Team. Playing alongside future icons like Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Jerry Lucas, Smith helped secure a gold medal in Rome.
Following the gold medal game, Smith climbed onto the shoulders of teammate Darrall Imhoff to cut down the net. It is a keepsake that the University said he kept his entire life.
A unique piece of NBA History
Smith eventually found his footing in the NBA, rejoining the Cincinnati Royals in 1961 to form a dynamic backcourt duo with Oscar Robertson, dubbed the “Big O” and the “Little O.”
During the 1965-66 season, Smith averaged a career-high 18.4 points per game, earning him his first and only selection to the NBA All-Star Game. Playing in front of his hometown Cincinnati crowd, Smith stole the show. He scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds, outshining 16 future Hall of Famers to win the All-Star Game MVP award.
To this day, Smith remains the only player in NBA history to win All-Star MVP honors in his lone appearance in the game. He received a Ford Galaxie 500 convertible for the achievement, a car he proudly owned for the remainder of his life.
The only other Kentucky player to win the NBA All-Star MVP is Anthony Davis.
A life well lived
Smith wrapped up his 11-year professional career on the West Coast with the San Francisco Warriors and spent his final season in the ABA with the Virginia Squires, sharing the court with a rookie named Julius Erving. He finished with 8,750 career points.
Following his playing days, Smith transitioned into a highly successful banking career in Cincinnati. His home state of Kentucky never forgot his contributions; he was an inaugural member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, and his hometown dedicated the Adrian ‘Odie’ Smith Highway in his honor in 2015.
He is survived by his son, Tyler, and his brother, Kenny.
Big Blue Nation has lost a champion, a patriot, and a pioneer of the game. Rest in peace, Odie.
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