David "Smokey" Gaines, who traveled the world from 1963-1967 as a standout guard with the Harlem Globetrotters, was the 24th person in team history to be honored with the prestigious "Legends" RIng.
The all-time scoring leader at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tenn., Gaines was named head men’s basketball coach and athletic director at his alma mater in April 2005. He was the first person to have his number (#32) retired at LeMoyne-Owen. Following a storied playing career, Gaines became a successful college coach at the University of Detroit (1977-79) and at San Diego State University (1979-87). He also served as…
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David "Smokey" Gaines, who traveled the world from 1963-1967 as a standout guard with the Harlem Globetrotters, was the 24th person in team history to be honored with the prestigious "Legends" RIng.
The all-time scoring leader at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tenn., Gaines was named head men’s basketball coach and athletic director at his alma mater in April 2005. He was the first person to have his number (#32) retired at LeMoyne-Owen. Following a storied playing career, Gaines became a successful college coach at the University of Detroit (1977-79) and at San Diego State University (1979-87). He also served as a scout for the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. In 1970, he graduated with a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University.
Gaines was honored during a ceremony at the FedExForum in Memphis on Jan. 7, 2006.
