Joe Smith is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 16 seasons. He was born on July 26, 1975, in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended the University of Maryland, where he played college basketball for the Terrapins.
Smith was selected as the first overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. He played for the Warriors for two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 1997. He played for the 76ers for one season before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1998.
Smith played for the Timberwolves for three seasons and was a key player on the team. He averaged 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during the 1999-2000 season and was named to the All-NBA Third Team. In 2000, he signed a contract with the Detroit Pistons, where he played for two seasons.
After leaving the Pistons, Smith played for several other NBA teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers (again), Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, and New Jersey Nets. He was known for his versatility as a power forward and center and was a reliable scorer and rebounder throughout his career.
Smith retired from the NBA in 2011 after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010-2011 season. He finished his career with averages of 10.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game. He played in a total of 1,030 NBA games and scored a total of 11,208 points.
Off the court, Smith was known for his philanthropic work and was involved in several charitable organizations throughout his career. He was also a mentor to many young players and was respected by his peers for his professionalism and work ethic.
In conclusion, Joe Smith had a successful career in the NBA, playing for 16 seasons and earning a reputation as a reliable scorer and rebounder. He played for several teams throughout his career and was known for his versatility as a power forward and center. Off the court, he was involved in charitable work and was respected by his peers for his professionalism and work ethic.
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