The basketball world lost a true legend this week. Adrian "Odie" Smith, the beloved Anderson Township resident and former Cincinnati Royals star, passed away at the age of 89. For those who followed the game in the mid-20th century, Smith wasn't just a player—he was a walking piece of basketball history.
Standing 6-foot-1, Smith carved out an incredible career that most players can only dream of. He won an NCAA national championship with the Kentucky Wildcats, claimed an Olympic gold medal in Rome in 1960, and was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1966—a honor that came with a shiny new Ford Galaxie. Smith kept that car in pristine condition for decades, proudly displaying it as a reminder of his finest moment on the court.
Smith's path to greatness wasn't easy. After an initial scholarship offer from Murray State fell through, he started at Northeast Mississippi Junior College. But his performances there caught the eye of legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, and Smith soon found himself wearing the iconic "Big Blue" uniform.
After limited playing time as a junior, Smith became a starter in his senior season, averaging 12.4 points per game. That 1957-58 Kentucky team became known as "The Fiddlin' Five"—a nickname Rupp gave them because they were always "fiddlin' around" before pulling out a win. They capped off their season with an 84-72 victory over Seattle University in the NCAA Championship game, beating a Seattle team that featured future NBA Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor. Interestingly, another member of that championship squad was Lincoln Collinsworth, the father of NBC football analyst and former Cincinnati Bengal Cris Collinsworth.
Smith entered the NBA when the Cincinnati Royals drafted him in the 15th round of the 1958 draft. (Yes, the same franchise that started in Rochester, moved to Cincinnati, then to Kansas City-Omaha, and now plays as the Sacramento Kings.) But before joining the pros, Smith served in the Army, playing on the Army All-Star Team. That led to a spot on the legendary 1960 U.S. Olympic team, which featured two other future Royals—Oscar Robertson and Jerry Lucas. That Olympic squad was later inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Smith made his NBA debut with the Royals in 1961 and played alongside "The Big O" himself, Oscar Robertson. His legacy as a champion, an Olympian, and an All-Star will never be forgotten.