MOREHEAD, Ky.— Morehead State University athletics will induct three former men’s basketball players into the Eagle Hall of Fame: Howard Smith, Bruce King and Lamar Green. The three will be inducted in a dinner Friday, Feb. 26 and will be honored on Saturday, Feb. 27 at the final home men’s basketball game of the regular season against UT Martin.
Along with last year’s inductee Willie Jackson, the three were a part of the “Birmingham Four,” four players who came to Morehead State from Birmingham, Ala. to play basketball. They were among the first of a group of talented players to come from outside of MSU’s general service region.
“The contributions made by Howard, Bruce and Lamar to Morehead State basketball are immeasurable,” said MSU Director of Athletics Brian Hutchinson. “They were a force to be reckoned with on the court, helping to further the regional and national recognition of Eagle basketball and Morehead State University.”
Smith joined MSU in 1963-64, playing on the freshman team. He was elevated to the varsity team as a sophomore. Smith earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Morehead State and a certificate in Advanced Study in Education from UAB and Doctoral Studies at the University of Houston. In addition to playing basketball for the Eagles, he also played in the military (Special Forces for Seventh Army Division) and for the American Basketball Association (Kentucky Colonels) He also was a member of the famed exhibition team the Harlem Globetrotters. Smith was active military for 3 years (served in Desert Shield / Desert Storm) and Army Reservist for 19 years.
King followed Smith by a semester, joining the Eagle freshman team in the second half of the 1963-64 season. He was elevated to varsity once he became eligible in 1964-65. MSU’s rebounding leader in 1965 and 1966, he ranks 13th all-time in rebounding at Morehead State. King was a physical education major and member of the Aquila club (Gamma Theta Lambda). His shot-blocking and ball-stealing abilities made him a feared and respected opponent to Morehead’s adversaries.
Green who came to Morehead on the urging of Smith and King, was named to the All-OVC teams of 1967-68 and 1968-69. He still ranks fourth all-time at MSU in rebounding with 914 (one rebound ahead of current Eagle Kenneth Faried). With Green leading the way, the Eagles had their best record in eight years in 1968-69, receiving the title of OVC Co-Champions with an 18-9 overall record. They averaged 88.6 points a game, which was the highest in the OVC and among the top ten offensive efforts in the country. Green was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the third round (fourth pick, 33rd overall) of the 1969 NBA draft. He played for the Suns from 1970-1975. He also was picked in the ABA draft by the Oakland Oaks, where he played for the 1974-75 season.
Established in 1985, the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame honors former Eagles whose achievements both in athletics and as MSU ambassadors have had a profound impact on Morehead State. The Hall of Fame contains 117 members, including 29 men’s basketball players with the addition of Smith, King and Green.
