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Indiana Pacers: 25 Best Players To Play For The Pacers

By Phil Watson

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fans cheer from the stands during the Pacers' game against the Toronto Raptors in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 11: Indiana Pacers center Rik Smits(L) beats Milwaukee Bucks center Ervin Johnson(R) to a rebound during game two of the Eastern Conference playoffs 11 May 1999 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN. (JOHN RUTHROFF/AFP/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 11: Indiana Pacers center Rik Smits(L) beats Milwaukee Bucks center Ervin Johnson(R) to a rebound during game two of the Eastern Conference playoffs 11 May 1999 at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN. (JOHN RUTHROFF/AFP/Getty Images) /

<strong>How Acquired: </strong>2nd overall pick from Marist, 1988 NBA Draft.. C. 1988-2000. Rik Smits. 18. player. 100

Marist College hasn’t produced a lot of first-round NBA draft picks. Then again, Marist College hasn’t had a lot of players like Rik Smits.

Smits, a 7-foot-4 native of the Netherlands, averaged 24.7 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior for the Red Foxes and the Indiana Pacers took the big man with the second overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft.

IND_18_SMITS
IND_18_SMITS /

Smits was a first team All-Rookie selection in 1988-89 and was named an All-Star for the only time in his career in 1998.

He was a solid low-post presence offensively, but never solved the problem he has with foul trouble, averaging 4.7 fouls per 36 minutes for his career.

Smits was part of the Pacer squad that reached the NBA Finals in 2000, averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 19.3 minutes per game in the series, shooting .466/—/6-for-6 in the six-game loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He announced his retirement in September 2000 after spending his entire career with the Pacers.

In 12 seasons in Indiana, Smits averaged 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game on .507/.115/.773 shooting.

Next: D Square Brought The Physical

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