As a testament to the team’s consistency on the court, the Pacers haven’t held a top-five draft pick since the summer of 1988. That warm evening in New York City, Donnie Walsh opted to select a 7’4 center from the Netherlands who played at Marist College just ninety miles north of the Big Apple.
Rik Smits would dawn the Pacers logo on his uniform for his entire twelve-year career. The Dutch center was named an All-Star in 1998 and the helped lead the Pacers a finals appearance in 2000. After suffering from injuries and chronic foot pain for the latter half of his career, the Dunking Dutchman hung up his shoes, embraced retirement and began focusing on family.