Players

Al Smith

Year Inducted: 1976

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: (Peoria) Manual High School
Bradley University
US Army
ABA:  Denver Nuggets and Utah Stars

Biography: Al Smith compiled an outstanding career as a guard at (Peoria) Manual High School, Bradley University, and in the ABA with the Denver Nuggets and Utah Stars.  At Manual, Smith was an all-state player in football, basketball, and baseball.  He was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the inaugural baseball draft in 1965.  Al ended his senior year with 1,134 career points scored.  This ranked him as #24 at the time on the Greater Peoria All Time list.  At Bradley, Al averaged 19 ppg, and closed his career as the 7^th all-time scorer for the Braves with 1,408 total points.  His college career was interrupted by an Army duty between his junior and senior seasons.  He was a member of the 1968 Bradley NIT team.  Although selected by the Chicago Bulls of the NBA, Al chose to play in the ABA.  During the 1973-74 season, Smith was selected as the Nuggets MVP.