University of Georgia Athletics
Braves Star John Smoltz Pays Bulldogs A Visit
November 30, 2008 | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ga. --- For the mountain of trophies, honors and titles on the mantle of Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, his first love has always been basketball. He showed the Georgia team why in a special visit after the Bulldogs' practice on Sunday afternoon.
Smoltz addressed the Bulldogs for 15 minutes at their Training Facility gym before the Main Event. The future Hall of Famer then took on head coach Dennis Felton in a friendly, but competitive game of HORSE.
"Anyone that knows me knows that I love basketball," Smoltz said afterward. "I've played it the longest, I continue to play it, I've coached it and I hope to continue coaching and playing long after my baseball career is over. It was a privilege to be invited over to meet these young men today, and to give them some words of encouragement."
Smoltz came to Athens at the invitation of associate head coach Pete Herrmann. The two have known each other since the mid-1980s, when Herrmann's Navy team played a game at Michigan State, where Smoltz nearly attended on a basketball scholarship. Smoltz, a two-time All-State hoopster from Lansing, Mich., attended that game in November of 1986, when the Midshipmen won 91-90 in overtime.
For the record, Felton defeated Smoltz in HORSE, but not by much. Felton led the competition S-to-O before Smoltz suggested a change in the playing rules: not until the winner had made the winning shot TWICE could he be declared victorious. Smoltz then rang up two quick letters for Felton, tying the score, before the Georgia coach broke through with a pair of 3-pointers from the right wing.
Neither player attempted a shot inside of 3-point range. Smoltz, in fact, took many shots from beyond the NBA 3-point stripe of 23 feet, 9 inches.
Smoltz addressed the Bulldogs for 15 minutes at their Training Facility gym before the Main Event. The future Hall of Famer then took on head coach Dennis Felton in a friendly, but competitive game of HORSE.
"Anyone that knows me knows that I love basketball," Smoltz said afterward. "I've played it the longest, I continue to play it, I've coached it and I hope to continue coaching and playing long after my baseball career is over. It was a privilege to be invited over to meet these young men today, and to give them some words of encouragement."
Smoltz came to Athens at the invitation of associate head coach Pete Herrmann. The two have known each other since the mid-1980s, when Herrmann's Navy team played a game at Michigan State, where Smoltz nearly attended on a basketball scholarship. Smoltz, a two-time All-State hoopster from Lansing, Mich., attended that game in November of 1986, when the Midshipmen won 91-90 in overtime.
For the record, Felton defeated Smoltz in HORSE, but not by much. Felton led the competition S-to-O before Smoltz suggested a change in the playing rules: not until the winner had made the winning shot TWICE could he be declared victorious. Smoltz then rang up two quick letters for Felton, tying the score, before the Georgia coach broke through with a pair of 3-pointers from the right wing.
Neither player attempted a shot inside of 3-point range. Smoltz, in fact, took many shots from beyond the NBA 3-point stripe of 23 feet, 9 inches.
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