Rik Smits - The Dunkin Dutchman

Rik Smits (born August 23, 1966 in Eindhoven, Netherlands) is a Dutch-American retired professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Indiana Pacers. The 7'4" (2.24 m) center was drafted by the Pacers out of Marist College with the second overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft.

Originally he backed up Steve Stipanovich, but when Stipanovich suffered a terrible injury that ended his career, Smits ended up starting 71 games in his rookie year, averaging 11.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and earning All-Rookie First Team honors. Smits continued to average double-digit point totals in every year of his career, but it wasn't until 1993-1994 that Smits really came into his own as a team leader.

Smits' highest point-per-game average was in 1995-96 when he averaged 18.5 points per game, relatively modest by NBA "superstar" standards, but the Dutchman endeared himself to Pacers fans with outstanding playoff performances.

Smits is best remembered for a catch-and-shoot situation in the fourth game of the 1995 playoffs against the Orlando Magic. With 1.3 seconds left, Derrick McKey inbounded the ball to Smits. He faked a shot off Tree Rollins and released the ball as time expired. The shot went in, and the Pacers tied the series at two games apiece.

Smits was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team in 1998, delivering 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, including a spectacular behind-the-back pass to New Jersey Nets forward Jayson Williams who followed immediately with a slam dunk.

Rik Smits was selected to the Pacers' 40th Anniversary Team, which was chosen by the fans. He ended up with the fourth most votes, trailing only Reggie Miller, Mel Daniels and Jermaine O'Neal.

Smits is still active on the court, often seen playing pick-up and recreational league games at a local gymnasium near his home in Zionsville, Indiana.

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Sports

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• basketball

[proof317]

He was a good player..noboby said he was the greatiest ever. just a high quiality player who stayed with the same team. sooo u fuck off hater

[Staalstraal]

Dammit I'm from Holland too ,wishing Smits was still playing or a new star would rise from or country, because since Smits left the NBA Dutch media coverage of the NBA has dropped to all time lows. :(

[teabagginue]

Makes me feel old seeing how old this stuff looks! Very solid center overall, great mid-range shot for a guy his size. Enjoyed watching him and Reggie play back then, for sure. Go Wizards!

[queballpuppy]

@TheSnoopyFreak99 Rik still lives in Indianapolis. I work at a store here in town and he comes shopping for groceries often. Believe me, he is TALL!!!

[TheSnoopyFreak99]

I have seen him to play several times during his Indiana Pacers career and his teammates were played against Wizzard in Washington, DC. He was wonderful center player ever I seen. I remembererd he was out of his one year season due to his foot surgery. I really enjoyed to watch him during my college years in Washington DC and I was so proud of him.. I wonder where he lives now?

[welcometotacobell]

i met him last week it was epic. he signed my basketball

[Belize2787]

He was a great Center! He & Reggie were the Key to the Indiana Offense!

[OfficialMartyMondays]

@blacknapalm he would be a top 5 center today at least

[warfighter1988]

We dutch can ball

[Tommmaaah]

Man I remember when I was 17 and I was playing with Almonte(Eindhoven) before and after every game and practice there was this tall, quiet guy shooting hoops but he was by no means talented. We all used to laugh at how awkward his movements looked. When he went to college in the states we all thought he'd be a joke. He spent thousands of hours working on his jumpshot and post moves and look what he has become, the best dutch player of all time..

[troyiscute123]

whats the song

[youBigLoser]

As a hockey fan, I remember Rik Smits being a great player on ice logging 2.4 minutes per game and being able to average 1.2 saves per game. Depite the several life threatening injuries, he survived to finish his career as a HOF. Later in his career, John Travolta came to congratulate him on his MVP and it's a shame how Spike Lee had to present a ceremony. Whatever the weed you guys smoke, stay off the bad stuff. Hear me kids?