Rik Smits, nicknamed “The Dunking Dutchman,” was a central figure for the Pacers during the 1990s, anchoring the team alongside Reggie Miller. Drafted second overall in 1988, Smits spent his entire 12-year career with Indiana, becoming one of the NBA’s most skilled big men. At 7’4”, Smits possessed a soft shooting touch, reliable post moves, and surprising agility for his size. His ability to hit mid-range jumpers and finish in the paint gave the Pacers a consistent offensive option. Smits was especially valuable in playoff battles against the Knicks, Bulls, and Heat, often rising to the occasion with clutch performances. He was named an All-Star in 1998, recognition of his steady contributions. Chronic foot problems shortened his career, but Smits left as one of the most respected Pacers in franchise history. His combination of loyalty, skill, and quiet leadership helped Indiana establish itself as a perennial Eastern Conference contender.
Rik Smits Playoff Stats
| Season | GP | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TOV | OREB | DREB |
|---|
 | 1989-90 | 3 | 32:00 | 12.3 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 4.7 | 9.3 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 81.8 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 4.0 |
| 1990-91 | 5 | 17:36 | 9.8 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 4.2 | 7.4 | 56.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 87.5 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 2.8 |
| 1991-92 | 3 | 9:20 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 3.7 | 36.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 100.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 1992-93 | 4 | 35:45 | 22.5 | 8.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 9.3 | 16.0 | 57.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 72.7 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 4.8 |
| 1993-94 | 16 | 28:07 | 16.0 | 5.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 6.4 | 13.6 | 47.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 80.6 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 3.8 |
| 1994-95 | 17 | 32:07 | 20.1 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 7.5 | 13.6 | 54.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100.0 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 80.4 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 5.1 |
| 1995-96 | 5 | 33:12 | 19.0 | 7.4 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 8.4 | 15.4 | 54.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 78.6 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 4.8 |
| 1997-98 | 16 | 29:45 | 16.6 | 5.3 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 6.6 | 13.1 | 50.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 85.9 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 4.3 |
| 1998-99 | 13 | 22:26 | 11.8 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 5.2 | 11.3 | 45.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 95.0 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 3.8 |
| 1999-00 | 22 | 20:54 | 11.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 4.7 | 9.4 | 49.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 87.5 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 2.5 |
| | 104 | 26:23 | 14.8 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 6.0 | 11.8 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24.9 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 82.9 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.8 |
| | 104 | 26:23 | 14.8 | 5.2 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 6.0 | 11.8 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24.9 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 82.9 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 3.8 |
Rik Smits Best Ten Games (Points)
| Date | Opponent | MIN | PTS | AST | REB | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TOV | OREB | DREB |
|---|
| Dec 10, 1995 | Los Angeles Clippers (W) | 40:00 | 44 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 29 | 0.69 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 6 | 0.67 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| Mar 30, 1997 | Los Angeles Clippers (W) | 42:11 | 40 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 28 | 0.61 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 7 | 0.86 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Apr 22, 1994 | Philadelphia 76ers (W) | 27:00 | 40 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 24 | 0.71 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 7 | 0.86 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| Feb 26, 1993 | Charlotte Hornets (W) | 32:00 | 37 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 27 | 0.67 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 2 | 0.50 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Apr 09, 1999 | Detroit Pistons (L) | 32:44 | 35 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 0.63 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 15 | 16 | 0.94 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Mar 07, 1995 | San Antonio Spurs (W) | 31:00 | 35 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 21 | 0.71 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 5 | 6 | 0.83 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| May 07, 1995 | New York Knicks (W) | 35:00 | 34 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 19 | 0.68 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 9 | 0.89 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Apr 07, 1993 | Minnesota Timberwolves (W) | 35:00 | 34 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 22 | 0.68 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 | 6 | 0.67 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Feb 06, 1990 | Denver Nuggets (W) | 43:00 | 34 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 20 | 0.70 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 8 | 0.75 | 3 | 2 | 9 |
| Dec 27, 1994 | Denver Nuggets (W) | 38:00 | 33 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 23 | 0.65 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 3 | 1.00 | 2 | 7 | 7 |