Larry "Mr. Mean" Smith (born January 18, 1958 in Rolling Fork, Mississippi) is a former professional basketball player. A 6'8" forward/center from Alcorn State University, Smith spent 13 seasons (1980-1993) in the NBA, playing for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and San Antonio Spurs. Smith received NBA All-Rookie Team Honors in 1981, and he would become one of the best rebounders of the 1980s. Jump to: navigation, search January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rolling Fork is a city located in Sharkey County, Mississippi. ... Jump to: navigation, search Basketball is very popular in U.S. colleges. ... Alcorn State University, located in Claiborne County, Mississippi, was founded in 1871 as the nations first state-supported higher education institution for blacks. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1993 is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA, is the premier professional basketball league in North America. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Golden State Warriors are a National Basketball Association team based in Oakland, California. ... The Houston Rockets are a National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas. ... The San Antonio Spurs are a National Basketball Association team based in San Antonio, Texas. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1981 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Smith had served from 1988-91 with Pitino as a UK assistant coach for two seasons before accepting his first head coaching job at the University of Tulsa (Okla.).
Smith began his coaching career at Great Mills High School in Great Mills, Md., where he was head coach for four years and compiled a 46-36 record.
Smith is the sixth of 17 children raised on a rural farm in southern Maryland.