Tom Stith

Thomas Alvin Stith (January 21, 1939 – June 13, 2010), born in Greenville County, Virginia, was an American professional basketball player, formerly of the NBA's New York Knicks. A 6' 5" forward, Stith was an All-American at St. Bonaventure University in 1960 and 1961.

Tom Stith
Stith as a junior at St. Bonaventure
Personal information
Born(1939-01-21)January 21, 1939
Greenville, Virginia
DiedJune 13, 2010(2010-06-13) (aged 71)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Francis Preparatory
(Brooklyn, New York)
CollegeSt. Bonaventure (1958–1961)
NBA draft1961 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career1962–1966
PositionSmall forward
Number8
Career history
1962–1963New York Knicks
1963–1964Wilkes-Barre Barons
1964–1966Allentown Jets
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points77
Rebounds39
Assists18
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

College career

Stith attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Brooklyn and committed to St. Bonaventure University, where he and older brother Sam formed a formidable 1-2 punch. The Stith brothers posted a 52.0 points per game combined scoring average for the 1959-1960 season. Tom Stith became St. Bonaventure's first consensus All-American in 1960 and 1961. Stith left St. Bonaventure as the school's all-time leading scorer, ending his career with 2,052 points. Stith finished second in the nation in scoring to Oscar Robertson in 1960, averaging 31.5 points per game, and he then finished third in 1961 with 29.6 points per game.[1]

Professional career

After completing his collegiate eligibility, Stith was selected by the New York Knicks as the second pick overall in the 1961 NBA Draft, behind Indiana's Walt Bellamy. He made the team and played in 46 games over the 1961–62 seasons. However, Stith contracted tuberculosis only a month into the season, and his NBA career was cut short at 25 games and 3.2 points per game.[2]

Death

Stith died on June 13, 2010, at the age of 71.[3][4]

References

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