ISU History: Zaid Abdul- Aziz (aka Don Smith) and banning the dunk

[BoxsterCy]

For all of you young pups. Some ISU history on one of our greatest all-time hoopsters.

THE BASKETBALL LEGEND

An article from The Sporting News confirms this account, saying, “One spectacular play by Don Smith might have motivated Coach Henry Iba of Oklahoma State into predicting that the basketball rules makers would outlaw the dunk shot and eventually raise the basket.”

 

[CloneSt8]

For those too young to know or remember, when Abdul-Aziz played Freshman were not allowed to compete on the varsity level. And the team overall was not outstanding and did not play in any post season games. So Abdul-Aziz played in far fewer games than players today. But he is still on a p"game basis" the Cyclone's leading scorer at over 20 points per game and leading rebounder at over 13 rebounds per game over his three year career.

I still can vividly remember him reaching up for a rebound with one hand and the ball would POP! when he slapped it into his other hand. Great player. One of our best ever!

 

[CyHans]

Interesting article. I was aware of him but too young to remember him at ISU. It mentions the dunk ban because of him. I think Wilt caused the goal tend and three second rule if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[amishclone]

Henry Iba hated fun

 

[VeloClone]

Henry Iba hated fun

Well he was at Oklahoma A&M for most of his career...

 

[t-noah]

Well he was at Oklahoma A&M for most of his career...

Maybe we should change our name to Iowa State A&M! Ha
I had to look it up Okie State used to be Oklahoma A&M until 1957.

 

[t-noah]

For all of you young pups. Some ISU history on one of our greatest all-time hoopsters.

THE BASKETBALL LEGEND

Don Smith was/is one of my all time favorite Cyclones! He was awesome. I was very young when seeing him play but he made an impression on me difficult to surpass.

 

[IsUaClone2]

Interesting article. I was aware of him but too young to remember him at ISU. It mentions the dunk ban because of him. I think Wilt caused the goal tend and three second rule if I'm remembering correctly.

I thought Bill Russell caused the goal tending rule. If I remember correctly, sometimes he didn't even go down to the offensive end; he just stayed in the defensive end and swatted the balls away.

 

[Cyclones01]

I love how it's called "the dunk shot"

 

[t-noah]

I love how it's called "the dunk shot"

As soon as it leaves your hands you know it’s in!

 

[cyclones500]

Cool article. I didn't know about his academic experience and interesting to know his memory of the culture shock.

 

[CyHans]

I thought Bill Russell caused the goal tending rule. If I remember correctly, sometimes he didn't even go down to the offensive end; he just stayed in the defensive end and swatted the balls away.

You could be right on that.