Class of 1978

Basketball

When the most valuable player for the 1981-82 season was announced, it wasn't a future Hall of Famer in Patrick Ewing or even a future NBA All-Star in Eric Floyd. Instead the honor was awarded to Eric Smith, a 6-5 forward who epitomized the team concept that earned Georgetown national recognition in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Named a co-captain his junior season, Smith joined the starting lineup in the 1980-81 season and started every game for the remainder of his college career. Averaging 10.8 points per game, Smith shot 48% from the field, and turned in a pair of 28 point games, including a 13 of 21 effort against Connecticut that was called one of the finest individual efforts in the young conference to date. His defensive skills were no less valued, and these skills helped earn Smith second team all-Big East honors in 1981.Smith repeated all conference honors in 1982, as a third team selection, but his senior year was arguably the best year of all. Averaging just under 10 points a game behind the shooting stars of Floyd and Ewing, Smith led the team with 75 steals and contributed 116 assists. In NCAA play, Smith led the Hoyas with 13 in a tough opening round matchup with Wyoming, holding 6-9 All-American Bill Garnett to just five points in the game. In the Final Four, he led the Hoyas with 14 points against Louisville in the semifinal, and scored another 14 points with five assists against North Carolina in the championship game.

Smith was drafted in the 4th round by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1982 draft.