Adrian "Odie" Smith, a national championship-winning basketball player, has passed away. He was 89 years old.
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According to his obituary, Smith passed away on April 28. He is survived by his son, Tyler Smith, and his brother, Kenny (Anita) Smith. His memorial service will take place on Friday in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Smith, a Kentucky native, attended his home stage college and made a significant impact. He played for two seasons after transferring from Northeast Mississippi Junior College, and he helped make up the famous "Fiddlin' Five." This is the team that captured the 1958 national championship after defeating Seattle University.
He appeared in 51 total games during his time at Kentucky, and he averaged 10.2 points per game. More importantly, he averaged 14.0 points per game in the four NCAA Tournament victories during the championship season.
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Smith remained in the world of basketball after graduation. He landed with the Cincinnati Royals in the 15th round of the 1958 NBA Draft, but he actually spent multiple years serving in the Army. He then represented the United States in the Pan American Games in Chicago, and he earned a gold medal.
Smith ultimately spent 11 years in professional basketball. He spent time with Cincinnati, San Francisco, and Virginia.
The Kentucky native also represented the United States during the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. He won a gold medal while playing on a squad that also included Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas, and Jerry West. This 1960 team was also named to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2010.
"Odie holds a special place in the history, and the treasured heritage, of Kentucky basketball," said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics, in a statement. "His accomplishments on the court — the NCAA championship at UK, two gold medals representing the United States in international competition, and his 11-year pro career — speak for themselves.
"What I remember most about Odie is that he had such a positive presence. He was a bright light wherever he went, always smiling, always cheerful, and most of all, so incredibly proud that he had played for the Wildcats. Our condolences are with his family, his friends and the Wildcat basketball family that meant so much to him."
