Otis Smith (basketball)
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Grand Rapids Drive | |
2017–2018 | Detroit Pistons (assistant) |
---|---|
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Career NBA statistics | |
Points | 3,951 (10.5 ppg) |
Rebounds | 1,416 (3.8 rpg) |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Otis Fitzgerald Smith (born January 30, 1964) is an American former professional basketball player who played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Jacksonville Dolphins.
Early years
Smith was born and raised in
College
Smith played at Jacksonville University from 1982 to 1986 and earned a degree in marketing and management. He became the only player in school history to tally more than 1,700 points and 900 rebounds in his collegiate career. In 1986, he was named the Sun Belt Conference men's basketball tournament MVP. His jersey was retired at Jacksonville University in 2002.
Professional career
Smith was taken with the 17th pick in the second round of the
Otis Smith became a member of the
After taking a hiatus for three years, Smith came out of player retirement in October, 1996 to sign with the Solna Vikings in the Sweden Professional League. He was named MVP of Swedish League in 1997, but decided to leave on a high note and not play a second year.
After playing
Smith became Director of Community Relations for the Orlando Magic from 1996 to 1998, then was Vice President of Marketing & Community Relations for Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida for a year from 1998 to 1999. However, he missed basketball, and joined the Golden State Warriors Foundation as executive director of Community Relations from 1999 to August 2002. During the 2002–2003 season, he worked as executive director of basketball operations for Golden State. Returning to Florida, he spent two years as director of player development for the Magic, then was promoted to Co-General Manager for 2005–2006 season. He was named general manager of the Orlando Magic on May 3, 2006. He was then named Executive/President of Orlando Magic[2] He agreed to step down from his job as the president and general manager of the Orlando Magic on May 21, 2012, after he was informed his close friend & coach Stan Van Gundy would be terminated. Sources say Otis F. Smith stood in loyalty for his friend Stan Van Gundy by walking away from Orlando Magic with not desiring players to run the team but allowing Management to do so. Sources say: This occurrence was in the time frame of Dwight Howard.[3][4][5] Otis Smith was head coach of Grand Rapids Drive for two years as he desired to help players find what was missing to gain pro status. Smith was then employed in a dual role of Assistant Coach/Head of Player Development with Detroit Pistons. Otis Smith is currently a consultant for the Houston Rockets.
Executive and coaching career
As a former NBA player, Otis Smith has been a coach, Orlando Magic president and general manager, NBA G-League Head Coach, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Civic work
Otis Smith became involved with Volunteers for Youth,
Awards and honors
- Given the key to the city of Jacksonville by Mayor Tommy Hazouri in 1988
- In June 1993, he was one of 50 people in the US to receive the FBI Directors Award for community service.
- Official Torch Bearer of the Olympic Flame for the 1996 Summer Olympicsin Atlanta (one of 13,267)
- Received the 1996 WTLV-TV12 Who Care Council's Choice Award
- Received Humanitarian of the Year award from Jacksonville University on February 22, 2002[11]
References
- ^ "Otis Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com.
- ^ "Florida Times-Union: October 10, 2006-Q&A: Otis Smith: Magic's GM ready for next step". Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2008.
- ^ "Stan Van Gundy explains infamous press conference with Dwight Howard". CBSSports.com. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "Dwight Howard says awkward Van Gundy press conference was 'worst day of my life'". For The Win. 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "Van Gundy Relieved of Duties; Smith and Magic Mutually Agree To Part Ways". www.nba.com.
- ^ a b "Otis Smith & Co". Archived from the original on 2022-03-28.
- ^ "Magic promote Otis Smith to general manager". ESPN.com. 2006-05-03. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ "Detroit Pistons Name Otis Smith as Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Drive". www.nba.com.
- ^ Xypteras, Tony (2017-07-26). "The Kings have interviewed former Magic GM Otis Smith for front office position". Sactown Royalty. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
- ^ @BA_Turner (28 July 2017). "Otis Smith has withdrawn his name as consideration for VP of basketball operation with Sacramento Kings. per source" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Florida Times-Union: Feb 22, 2002-Jacksonville Journal