AKA, Zaid Abdul-Aziz, Don Smith to Iowa Staters of the time, was born 77 years ago. He was recruited to Iowa State out of Bed-Stuy in NYC by Glen Anderson on the recommendation of Hank Whitney, former Iowa State great.
Big 8 Sophomore of the year in 1965-66, All-Conference in 1966-67 and 67-68, AA in 67-68, and the 5th pick in the NBA draft. His career per game averages for points and rebounds are at or the top in ISU history. Since the NCAA limit of 3 years eligibility and 24 games per season, career totals are less. A player today plays as many games in 2 years as a player did in three during that era.
A testament to his prowess, he scored 33 points in a head-to-head battle with Lew Alcindor. Sadly, the rest of the team did not fare as well. Both Smith and Alcindor later converted to Islam and go by Zaid Abdul-Aziz and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar respectively.
Big 8 Sophomore of the year in 1965-66, All-Conference in 1966-67 and 67-68, AA in 67-68, and the 5th pick in the NBA draft. His career per game averages for points and rebounds are at or the top in ISU history. Since the NCAA limit of 3 years eligibility and 24 games per season, career totals are less. A player today plays as many games in 2 years as a player did in three during that era.
A testament to his prowess, he scored 33 points in a head-to-head battle with Lew Alcindor. Sadly, the rest of the team did not fare as well. Both Smith and Alcindor later converted to Islam and go by Zaid Abdul-Aziz and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar respectively.
