Chris Smith (basketball, born 1970)
Christopher Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 17, 1970 Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player (retired) |
| Years active | 1992–2000 |
| Known for | Point guard for University of Connecticut, NBA player for Minnesota Timberwolves |
Christopher Gerard Smith (born May 17, 1970) is a retired American professional basketball athlete who played as a point guard.
Basketball career
Hailing from Bridgeport, Connecticut, Smith competed at the collegiate level for the University of Connecticut. Throughout his four-year tenure, he amassed a total of 2,145 points, establishing a school record that also included 1,140 points within Big East Conference competition. Additionally, he holds the UConn record for career three-point shots made with 242 and is among just two players to have scored over 500 points in three separate seasons.
Smith earned a place on the UConn Basketball All Century Team and was a candidate for the prestigious John Wooden Award. He gained recognition as a McDonald's All American and secured first-team All-Big East honors. Internationally, he competed for the US national team at the 1990 FIBA World Championship, where he contributed to winning the bronze medal.
In the 1992 NBA draft, Smith was chosen 34th overall in the second round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. During his three-season NBA career spanning 224 games, he averaged 5.1 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per contest.
Following his NBA stint, Smith played with multiple squads in the Continental Basketball Association and across European leagues until injuries prompted him to retire in 2000. Transitioning into the corporate sector, he utilized his business administration degree to embark on a career in sales and financial services. Smith served as a business development officer at People's United Bank and its insurance branch, Beardsley, Brown & Bassett.
Personal life
Smith's son, Christopher Smith Jr., holds the position of assistant coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. Furthermore, Smith is related to NBA point guard Mario Chalmers, who is notable for his time with the Miami Heat.