Jerry Smith (basketball, born 1941)


Jerry Smith is an American former basketball player. He was the 12th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 1963 NBA draft. Smith came from Corbin, Kentucky to Furman University, where he averaged 23.2 points per game for his career.

College career

Coming from Corbin High School, which had also produced Frank Selvy, Smith was heavily recruited, but decided to follow in Selvy's footsteps and attend Furman.
Smith became a three-time All-Southern Conference player for Furman University and was a prolific scorer. He averaged 22.4 points in 1960-1961, 27.0 in 1961-1962 and 20.3 in 1962-1963. Smith led the Southern Conference in scoring with in 1962 and earned All-America Second Team honors that year. Smith remains Furman's all-time leader in career free throw percentage at 82.2%, and ranks fifth in program history with 1,885 career points, averaging 23.2 for his career under coach Lyles Alley.

Professional career

On April 30, 1963 the Detroit Pistons selected Smith in Round 2 with Pick 4 in the 1963 NBA Draft. Smith agreed to contract terms with the Pistons on July 9, 1963. The Pistons ultimately kept first round pick Eddie Miles instead, with Smith being cut from the roster on October 15, 1963.

Honors