Rik Smits was a Dutch professional basketball player who had a successful career in the NBA. He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1988 and played for the team for 12 years. He was a 7-foot-4 center who was known for his agility and shooting ability. He was a two-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 1998.

Smits was a key part of the Pacers' success in the late 1990s, helping the team reach the NBA Finals in 2000. He was a reliable scorer and rebounder, averaging double-digit points and rebounds in each of his last five seasons. He was also a good passer and shot blocker, averaging 1.5 blocks per game in his career.

Smits was known for his ability to hit the mid-range jump shot, which was a rarity for a center at the time. He was also a good free-throw shooter, shooting over 80 percent from the line in his career. He was a fan favorite in Indiana and was known for his affable personality.

Smits retired in 2000 after 12 seasons with the Pacers. He finished his career with averages of 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He was inducted into the Indiana Pacers Hall of Fame in 2011 and his number 45 was retired by the team in 2016. He is remembered as one of the best centers of his era and a key part of the Pacers' success in the late 1990s.

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