University of San Francisco Athletics

Phil Smith was born on April 22, 1952 in San Francisco and attended George Washington High School. A mid-semester high school grad, Smith averaged 16.0 PPG and 13.0 RPG half-way through his senior high school year. Nearly every college recruiter had overlooked Smith in high school, but USF Head Coach Bob Gaillard spotted his potential. Possessing great jumping ability and quickness, Smith moved to the Dons varsity team after a standout performance for the freshmen team (16.7 PPG). He played as a shooting guard for the Dons 1971 to 1974 and in his first year as a varsity player was considered likely to become the best guard ever to play at USF.
 
Best known for his on-court intensity and off-court soft-spoken manner, Smith led USF in scoring in all three of his USF seasons, helping the Dons to a 62-22 record. He helped the Dons to three NCAA Tournaments, including two Elite Eight appearances, as well as being a three-time All-West Coast Athletic Conference selection. Smith was also selected as one of the Top 50 WCC Athletes of All–Time. He was the ninth leading scorer in USF history and his jersey (#20) was retired on February 17, 2001.

The Virginia Squires in the ABA drafted him early in 1973, but he declined leaving USF prior to graduation. Smith was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the Second Round (29^th pick overall) of the 1974 NBA Draft and played for them until 1983. As a rookie, he was a member of the Warriors first NBA Championship team. He played for the San Diego Clippers from 1980 to 1982 and for the Seattle Supersonics from 1982-1983. He ended his NBA career with a 15.1 PPG average.
 
Mayor Willie Brown declared September 27, 2002, Phil Smith Day. Gaillard described Smith as “the best of competitors and the best of human beings. He was able to make his teammates and friends better players and better people (USF Athletics).”