Adrian "Odie" Smith, a beloved figure in basketball history and a longtime Anderson Township resident, passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that stretches from the hardwood of Kentucky to the bright lights of the NBA All-Star Game.
For those who followed Greater Cincinnati basketball, Smith was more than just a name—he was a 6-foot-1 guard with a knack for rising to the occasion. A native of Farmington, Kentucky, Smith's journey to stardom wasn't easy. After an initial scholarship offer from Murray State was pulled, he honed his skills at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, eventually catching the eye of legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp.
Smith's patience paid off. After limited playing time as a junior, he became a starter for the Wildcats as a senior in the 1957-58 season, averaging 12.4 points per game. That year, Kentucky's "Fiddlin' Five" earned their nickname from Rupp himself, who said they were always "fiddlin' around" before pulling out a win. They capped the season with an 84-72 victory over Seattle University—and a future Hall of Famer named Elgin Baylor—to claim the NCAA National Championship. Notably, Smith's teammate Lincoln Collinsworth, father of former Cincinnati Bengal and NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth, was also part of that historic squad.
Smith's basketball journey then took him to the professional ranks. Drafted in the 15th round by the Cincinnati Royals in 1958—a team that would later become the Sacramento Kings—Smith chose to serve in the U.S. Army first. That decision led to a golden opportunity: he played on the Army All-Star Team and earned a spot on the 1960 U.S. Olympic team, which won gold in Rome alongside future Royals teammates Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. That Olympic squad was later inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Smith finally joined the Royals in 1961, and his most memorable moment came in 1966 when he was named NBA All-Star Game MVP. His prize? A shiny Ford Galaxie, which he kept in pristine condition and proudly displayed for years—a fitting trophy for a player who always knew how to make an entrance.
From a small-town kid to a national champion, Olympic gold medalist, and NBA All-Star, Adrian Smith's story is one of perseverance, talent, and a little bit of "fiddlin'" magic. For fans of the game, his legacy is a reminder that greatness often comes from the most unexpected places.