Jack Smiley

Arthur John "Jack" Smiley (1922–2000) was an American basketball player.

With Gene Vance, Andy Phillip, Ken Menke, and Art Mathisen, Smiley was a member of the University of Illinois' "Whiz Kids" team that went 35-6 from 1941 to 1943, earning two Big Ten Conference championships. The team was broken up in 1943 when players went to serve in the military, but Smiley returned to Illinois for the 1946-47 season and won team MVP honors.[1]

After college, Smiley played two seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Fort Wayne Pistons, Anderson Packers, and Waterloo Hawks. He averaged 6.2 points per game in his NBA career.[2] Smiley also served as a player-coach for the Hawks for 27 games in the 1949-50 season, and posted an 11-16 record.[3]

Smiley spent his later years in Des Moines, Iowa. He died in 2000.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Jim Rossow. "Whiz Kid passes away". News Gazette. July 31, 2000. C1.
  2. ^ Jack Smiley playing statistics. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on May 27, 2010.
  3. ^ Jack Smiley coaching statistics. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on May 27, 2010.