American · Baton Rouge, Louisiana · Born 21 September 1964American basketball player and coach who hit the game-winning shot for Indiana in the 1987 NCAA Championship and later became an NBA head coach.
Keith Smart was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1964. He attended Garden City Community College before transferring to Indiana University under coach Bob Knight. He won the national championship in 1987 as a junior college transfer in his first season as a Hoosier. His career-defining moment came with five seconds remaining in the 1987 championship game against Syracuse — with Indiana trailing by one, he received the ball in the left corner, shot a baseline jumper over Howard Triche and the ball swished through to give Indiana a 74-73 victory. The shot is one of the most celebrated in championship game history. He averaged 11.8 points per game across two Indiana seasons. He was drafted in the second round of the 1987 NBA Draft. His professional career was modest. His significance in basketball history rests entirely on those championship game seconds at the Superdome in New Orleans — a transfer student from a junior college hitting the winning shot in the national championship. He later became an NBA head coach.
Hit the game-winning jump shot with five seconds left to give Indiana the 1987 NCAA Championship over Syracuse.
How They Played
Smart was known for his clutch shooting ability and composure in high-pressure situations. He possessed excellent court vision and leadership skills as a point guard, capable of running Indiana's disciplined offensive system effectively.
Lasting Impact
Smart's championship-winning shot remains one of the most iconic moments in NCAA tournament history and helped cement Indiana's 1987 perfect season as legendary.
Career Honours
- National Championship (1987)
- Championship game hero
- Big Ten champion
- Indiana legend
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Garden City Community College | 1984–1986 | — |
| Indiana University | 1986–1987 | — |
American Athletes