By LARRY VAUGHT
It’s still hard for me to believe that G.J. Smith is gone. The former University of Kentucky basketball player died of a heart attack at age 59 Friday.
I knew him for about 40 years. He came to UK from Laurel County as part of the Super Kittens at the same time I was in school. He played in 49 games over three seasons from 1972 to 1975 and scored 149 points and had 93 rebounds. If there had been a 3-point shot at the time, he would have played even more because he was a terrific shooter.
After he left UK, he returned home and became a teacher, baseball coach (he was inducted into the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame) and basketball coach at Laurel County. Once his coaching days ended, he became the athletics director. He’s been nominated for the Dawahares/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame and should be included there as well because of his many contributions to high school sports.
He retired in 2008 and I had not crossed paths with him very often since then. But he was still one of the guys I loved to share stories with and loved to be around. He always treated me with respect, and always deserved to be treated with respect. He was an intense competitor and coach, but he was also always willing to help anyone.
For more information on visitation and the funeral, go to HouseRawlings.com for updated information.
If you have a favorite G.J. Smith memory, please share it here.
14 Responses to Former Kentucky basketball player G.J. Smith was good guy, someone I will miss
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I was at UK working on an advanced degree during the “Super Kitten” days. Memorial Coliseum would be packed for the freshmen games. During that time, I knew several of the players (although not well), including G.J. He was rather soft-spoken, always respectful, well-liked by anyone who knew him. He appreciated being part of the team, but seemed to be focused on getting his degree. After he graduated, I never had the opportunity to see him again. It was a surprise to hear of his passing, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Those in the BBN who never knew him missed a real gentleman.
This hurts. )-:
It does hurt John. Heck, he was younger than me and probably in a lot better shape. Dr. Stephens, I loved the Super Kittens. Jerry Hale was my favorite
My thought’s and prayers are with the family. “The Super Kittens” brings back many good memories of my dad and uncle taking us all over to see that team play as freshman. We also saw them at Indiana and Xavier.Those guys had as much hype as today’s incoming classes.I can always remember a few old timer’s hollaring for “BULLFROG” I guess was his hometown nickname. Peace be with you G.J.
G.J. played for the Hazel Green Bullfrogs before consolidation to South Laurel in 1971. His dad Charles played for Hazel Green when they won the state championship in the 40′s. Larry you should remember the battles between Hazel Green and Danville back in the day. G.J. will be missed.
Remember those Hazel Green days well. Played in that gym a few times myself back in the day when I could dribble and shoot
What years did you play? I was the student manager at HG from 1967-1970.
Don, that was the time I played with Leonard Coulter
Larry, I remember Leonard Coulter very well. He was the reason I dreaded playing Danville, but I didn’t know you were on the team at the time!
very small part of team for a few years. Leonard was the man
Larry I watched GJ play a lot his freshmen year and I thought he was as good of a shooter as Grevey was. But if my memory is correct GJ had a catastrophic knee injury and just couldn’t move very well after the accident. I think this kept him from being a great player at UK.
He did have a bad knee. Was as pure a shooter as I ever saw in high school
I got to see GJ play many times while I was at UK. Those Super Kittens were a collection of players we aren’t likely to see the likes of for a long time. Those guys could shoot the ball big time. The way they played was absolutely thrilling to watch especially when they went to that 3/4 court press. They wouldn’t have had much trouble with a shot clock. And if there had been a 3 line they would have won the national title easy. GJ was part of the team that I nearly got to be part of and although I didn’t know him I knew how he played and he was class all the way on the court.
G.J. was one of the good guys. He was part of some great memories.
Way too young for this to happen.