Mike Gminski

Michael Thomas Gminski (born August 3, 1959) is an American former professional basketball player and a college basketball TV analyst for CBS Sports.[1] In 2003, Gminski, of Polish descent, was inducted into the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame.[2][3][4]

Mike Gminski
Personal information
Born (1959-08-03) August 3, 1959
Monroe, Connecticut
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High schoolMasuk (Monroe, Connecticut)
CollegeDuke (1976–1980)
NBA draft1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall
Selected by the New Jersey Nets
Playing career1980–1994
PositionCenter
Number42, 43
Career history
1980–1988New Jersey Nets
1988–1991Philadelphia 76ers
1991–1994Charlotte Hornets
1994Milwaukee Bucks
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points10,953 (11.7 ppg)
Rebounds6,480 (6.9 rpg)
Assists1,203 (1.3 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Early career

Gminski played his high school ball for Masuk High School in Monroe, CT, where he graduated in three years.

College career

From there he played four seasons with the Duke Blue Devils, from 1977 to 1980. He led the team in scoring during his junior and senior years. Gminski was named the ACC Rookie of the Year (tied) in 1977, first team All-ACC three years, 1978, 1979, and 1980, and ACC Player of the Year in 1979. He was also named an AP Second Team All-American in 1979 and 1980, and a UPI First Team All-American in 1979 and Second Team All-American in 1980.[5]

At the time of graduation, he was the Duke career leader in points (2,323), rebounds (1,242), and blocked shots (345). As of early 2020 [6], he is eighth all time in the ACC in points and rebounds. He is sixth in blocked shots all-time in the ACC and second in Duke history. He is also second in Duke career rebounds behind Shelden Williams and fifth in points behind JJ Redick, Johnny Dawkins, Christian Laettner, and Kyle Singler. His jersey number 43 is retired by the Duke men's basketball team. In 2002, Gminski was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team as one of the 50 greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference history.

As of March 28, 2010, he was tied for sixth-most career double-figure scoring games at Duke with Grant Hill, behind Jon Scheyer.[7]

NBA career

Gminski was drafted in the first round by the New Jersey Nets of the NBA. He played for the Nets from 1980 to 1988. Gminski played in the Summer Pro League in 1981, where during a game he was elbowed in the back which caused an infection and blood clot.[8] He went on to play with the Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks. He wore jersey No 42 throughout his career and only got to wear No 43 (his Duke number) in his final 8 games with the Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 10 points in his final NBA game.

In a remarkable start to the 1990 season, Gminski and teammates made a pact that if the Sixers won 10 in a row, they would each get their ears pierced. When the team pulled off 12 in a row, he, Rick Mahorn and the others were sporting diamond earrings to commemorate the feat.[9]

Gminski was an exceptional free throw shooter, especially compared to other big men (Gminski was listed at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)). During his career, he converted over 84% of his attempts.

While with the Nets, he was a frequent squash rackets player at the Chatham Squash Club. He enjoyed the sport, but when asked if he would play squash rather than basketball if he could make the same money, he replied he would not, as basketball allowed him to use his elbows.

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See also

References
  1. "Mike Gminski (CBS Sports Analyst)". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  2. "Mike Gminski – NPASHF". polishsportshof.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  3. "Tumor in coach's son was malignant". Tampa Bay Times. March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  4. Mattioli, Kami (March 22, 2014). "CBS Sports play-by-play man uses slur to describe Gonzaga player". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  5. "Michael T. Gminski". goduke.com. December 14, 2005. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  6. "ACC Men's Basketball Records". www.scacchoops.com. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. "Notes: Duke 78, Baylor 71 – Duke University Blue Devils | Official Athletics Site". GoDuke.com. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
  8. Hasen, Jeff (August 21, 1981). "The New Jersey Nets, last year's Atlantic Division basement...". United Press International.
  9. Weiss, Dick (February 14, 1990). "Sixers Dressed For Success Gminski, Mahorn Now Have Earrings". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
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