Rick Smits is a retired professional basketball player from the Netherlands. With the Pacers, Smits originally backed up Steve Stipanovich, but when Stipanovich suffered a terrible injury that ended his career, Smits ended up starting 71 games in his rookie year, averaging 11.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and earning All-Rookie First Team honors. Smits continued to average double-digit point totals in every year of his career, but it wasn't until later that Smits really came into his own as a team leader.
Throughout the Pacers' playoff runs, Smits was considered the number two player, behind Reggie Miller, on the deeply talented Pacers team. Smits' highest point-per-game average was when he averaged 18.5 points per game, relatively modest by NBA superstar standards, but the Dutchman endeared himself to Pacers fans with outstanding playoff performances, most notably in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals where he made a buzzer-beating shot to tie the series.
Smits developed nerve damage in his feet from wearing tight shoes as a teenager. Foot problems hobbled Smits for the majority of his career, and he retired at the conclusion of the season, after Indiana was defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals 4 games to 2.
After four surgeries to repair nerve damage to his feet, Smits underwent intensive back surgery to correct cracks in one joint that link his vertebrae. Smits has also undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and had bone chips removed from his left ankle.
Rik Smits was selected to the Pacers' 40th Anniversary Team, which was chosen by the fans. He ended up with the fourth most votes, trailing only Reggie Miller, Mel Daniels and Jermaine O'Neal.
Since retiring from the NBA, he has been spending his time racing vintage motocross motorcycles..

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