World Sports Humanitarian Hall fo Fame to Induct Steve Smith

Smith, a 6’8”, 221-pound guard originally drafted by the HEAT with the fifth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, is being recognized for his $2.5 million contribution to Michigan State University that helped to construct a student-athlete academic center named for his late-mother, Clara Bell Smith. In 2001, Smith contributed an additional $600,000 to fully endow an annual Michigan State University scholarship for high-achieving students from Detroit’s Pershing High School, which he attended.

Over the course of his career, Smith was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team in 1992, and received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1998. He was also awarded the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2002, the same year he led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.472).

“We are extremely proud of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame Class of 2006,” said Larry Maneely, World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame board of directors president. “By honoring Steve Smith, Steve Largent and Harmon Killebrew, we continue in our tradition of recognizing exceptional athletes who have proven themselves even better as citizens of the world. They have set the bar high in competition, and with their humanitarian efforts, challenge us all to do more, whenever, and wherever, we have the opportunity.”

The Humanitarian Hall of Fame, located on the Boise State University campus, annually inducts individuals who are world-class in athletic ability, role models in their community and have a strong record of humanitarian efforts. Since President Gerald R. Ford served as its first honorary chairman in 1994, over 30 sports-humanitarians have been enshrined including tennis great Arthur Ashe, major league baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, NFL coaching legend Tom Landry, the NBA’s David Robinson and soccer great Pelé.