Smith inducted into home state Sports Hall of Fame -- rebounding was his domain for the Warriors

Alcorn State University basketball legend Larry Smith was inducted into the Bancorp South Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night at the Jackson Convention Center.

In four years at Alcorn, Smith averaged a double-double with 16.7 points and 11 rebounds per game. He played under the great head coach Davey Whitney and guided the program to victories in both the National Invitational Tournament and National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament.

"This is a huge honor to me and it's very, very special," Smith said. "So many great athletes have come from this university but did not get recognized for their contributions. I'm just thankful that I had this opportunity, and it's a privilege as well."

As a senior, the 6-8 forward/center scored 20.1 points per outing and led NCAA Division I with 15.1 rebounds per contest. He was a two-time Southwestern Athletic Conference Player and Athlete of the Year winner in 1979 and 1980.

"This speaks volumes for the University. Coach Davey Whitney had a number of great players and Larry stood out as one of the best," said Derek Horne, director of athletics. "It's appropriate for him to earn this honor and go in and join his former coach."

During the 1978-79 season, Smith led the Braves to an astounding 28-1 record. It included an 80-78 victory over Mississippi State University in the NIT on the road.

"The win over Mississippi State was special because it really showed everyone nation-wide that we had a tremendous team. It showed that we were able to compete at a level with all Division I schools," Smith said.

The following year, he brought the Braves to the NCAA Tournament where they knocked off South Alabama, 70-62 in the first round. It was the school's first of six NCAA Tournament appearances, and their first of three NCAA Tournament victories in program history.

Furthermore, Alcorn was the first Historically Black Colleges & Universities to ever play in the NCAA Tournament.

"It was during a time when HBCUs weren't really getting the recognition that major universities were. However, that just made winning more special. Once you won games, people had to notice you," Smith said. "It was a very good feeling - being recognized as one of the best teams to ever play in this conference."

In four years as a Brave, Smith totaled 1,852 points and 1,234 rebounds. He was known as "Mr. Mean" for his serious demeanor.

"I always have to thank my teammates. Without them, this would not be happening. I had great teammates and coaches, and I deeply believe that without their support none of this would be happening," Smith said. "I consider them all hall of famers."

After his days at Alcorn, Smith was drafted in the first round of the 1980 National Basketball Association Draft as the No. 24 pick by the Golden State Warriors. He earned NBA All-Rookie Team honors after the 1980-81 season.

Smith played 13 seasons in the NBA including stints with the Warriors (1980-89), Houston Rockets (1989-92) and San Antonio Spurs (1992-93). He averaged a whopping 9.2 rebounds per game during his career and was considered one of the best rebounders of the 1980s.

Following his playing days, Smith served as assistant coach with the Rockets from 1993-2002. He helped them win back-to-back NBA championships in 1993-94 and 1994-95. Smith was also assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks (2003-04), Los Angeles Lakers (2004-05), Albuquerque Thunderbirds (2005-06) and the Austin Toros (2007).

"It's huge for a guy of his caliber to come out of this university and be honored like this. He attended Alcorn, played over 10 years in the NBA and then coached her at his alma mater. That means so much in terms of recruiting when you have a face that you can put out there as an example," said Alcorn men's basketball head coach Montez Robinson. "He's definitely a role model and is always there for our players. He has an open-door policy and is always available for us."

Smith returned to Alcorn when he was named head coach of the men's basketball team May 8, 2008. He worked in that role from 2008-11 before becoming Director of Athletic Development, a position that he still holds.

"If you cut Larry, he'd bleed purple and gold. He loves Alcorn and his passion cannot be matched for any role that he takes here," Horne said. "It's just great that we can keep a jewel like him around campus as he is also an example to our student-athletes as to what can happen if you do a great job and do what's right."

Smith, a product of Rolling Rock, Miss., and Simmons High School will become the first-ever basketball player from Alcorn to be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame."