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Indiana Pacers 50th anniversary: All-Decade team, 1987-97

By Adrian Lawhorn

Nov 18, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of the 50 year logo on the court prior to the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A general view of the 50 year logo on the court prior to the game between the Indiana Pacers and the Phoenix Suns at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rik Smits

Statistics: 14.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.4 APG

In the 1988 NBA Draft, Donnie Walsh and the Indiana Pacers decided to take a chance with their second overall pick and select 7-foot-4 center Rik Smits from tiny Marist College by way of the Netherlands.

Many wondered if the Dutch big man could make the huge leap from Marist to the NBA, and as it turned out, he had to prove himself right out of the gate.

With Indiana’s starting center, Steve Stipanovich, unable to continue his pro basketball career due to a knee injury, Smits was thrown into the fire as a rookie, and he acquitted himself quite well.

Smits was not a great rebounder or shot-blocker, but he was very effective as a scorer — he possessed a skillful post game, as well as a feathery outside jump shot.

Next: The top 10 moments of Paul Pierce's NBA career

Rik Smits spent 12 seasons with the Pacers, and he was a very key piece at a time when having a productive center was a must for any quality NBA playoff team.

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