Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame Spotlight: Joe Smith
10/2/2026 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
One of Maryland men’s basketball’s all-time greats will be cemented into Terrapin history on Oct. 16.
It was a night Joe Smith never saw coming, but it's one he'll remember forever.
At a Maryland Athletics Celebration in New York City in May, what he thought would be a night celebrating others instead featured the announcement that he'd join the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 16.
"It's a great honor," Smith said. "There's a lot of names that came before me and even after me, so it's a great honor to be amongst the names that are already inducted into the Hall of Fame and all the names that are coming in the future. It's a great honor to be recognized for what I was able to accomplish while I was there at Maryland."
One of the best players in Maryland men's basketball history will be etched into Terrapin immortality later this month, cementing the legacy of a man who understands the weight of the word.
"To me, legacy just means leaving a positive mark and being someone that was able to influence a lot of positive things around a program or organization," Smith said. "A legacy comes from someone that puts in the work to make things happen and make things better. In my case, I want my legacy at the University of Maryland to be somebody that makes people laugh or smile whenever they talk about the program."
Early in his playing career, the Terps were already watching. He remembers looking into the stands at nearly every game he played at Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia, where Maryland coaches were keeping a close eye on the young prospect who would go on to change their program forever.
"Although they weren't allowed to talk to us at that time, just seeing their presence in the stands at pretty much every game really put them on my radar as a program I'd be interested in," Smith said. "I always wanted to play in the ACC, so that was another big reason I chose Maryland."
He spent the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons in College Park, captivating the eyes of the nation each time he touched the court. In 64 career games, Smith collected 1,290 points (20.2 per game), 683 rebounds (10.7 per game) and 190 blocks.
"It was a quick two years, but it was a fun two years," Smith said. "I have so many memories from the things we were able to do as a team and the games we won and people we upset. It was a great two years for the resurgence of the program that really propelled me into the next phase of my basketball career."
After averaging a double-double for two years, Smith was taken first overall in the 1995 NBA Draft, sending him across the nation to compete for the Golden State Warriors.
"Because of the way college sports are being influenced nowadays, I think it's a huge step in the right direction to have former athletes involved," Smith said. "I think people appreciate that, and I want to be a part of that at Maryland. I want to be able to help Maryland succeed and continue to be one of the top programs in the country, and in order to do that, we have to have former players that wore the uniform show up and help out."
His adoration for Maryland and heart for the program took him to New York City for the Terps' "Another National Championship" event and he was happy to meet and mingle with Terrapin supporters — until he became the focus of the night.
Former head coach Gary Williams was up on stage, honoring some of the players who brought Maryland its national championship in 2002. Juan Dixon, Steve Blake and Lonny Baxter all had their moment in the spotlight before Williams dropped the announcement that Smith would be joining the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame in 2026.
"It was a huge surprise," Smith said. "I was sitting there and my mouth just dropped. Everybody stood up and gave me a standing ovation. I walked up on stage with tears in my eyes because it was a huge surprise and something I didn't expect. It was a great experience, and what an honor."
Smith was touched to see the love from his alma mater and humbled to join the all-time greats in Maryland immortality. The one thing he wants the fans to know is that he'll never forget the love he's felt from the minute he joined the program.
"I just want people to know how much I appreciate the Maryland family," Smith said. "From the time I stepped foot on campus to the time I decided to go to the NBA, it was a warm atmosphere and a true family. Every time I return to campus, it's nothing but love, and I just want people to know how much I appreciate them."
On Oct. 16, Smith will return to College Park once again, this time to take his place among the names that helped shape Maryland Athletics. The ceremony will mark another chapter in a connection that began more than three decades ago — but for Smith, the legacy he leaves at Maryland isn't about what's already been accomplished. It's about the people, the memories and the smiles that keep bringing him back home.
At a Maryland Athletics Celebration in New York City in May, what he thought would be a night celebrating others instead featured the announcement that he'd join the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 16.
"It's a great honor," Smith said. "There's a lot of names that came before me and even after me, so it's a great honor to be amongst the names that are already inducted into the Hall of Fame and all the names that are coming in the future. It's a great honor to be recognized for what I was able to accomplish while I was there at Maryland."
One of the best players in Maryland men's basketball history will be etched into Terrapin immortality later this month, cementing the legacy of a man who understands the weight of the word.
"To me, legacy just means leaving a positive mark and being someone that was able to influence a lot of positive things around a program or organization," Smith said. "A legacy comes from someone that puts in the work to make things happen and make things better. In my case, I want my legacy at the University of Maryland to be somebody that makes people laugh or smile whenever they talk about the program."
Smith and Maryland were seemingly a match made in heaven.𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡 😤🐢@JoeBeast95 will be inducted into the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame this fall! pic.twitter.com/qfQnlC0kv0
— Maryland Men's Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) June 11, 2026
Early in his playing career, the Terps were already watching. He remembers looking into the stands at nearly every game he played at Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia, where Maryland coaches were keeping a close eye on the young prospect who would go on to change their program forever.
"Although they weren't allowed to talk to us at that time, just seeing their presence in the stands at pretty much every game really put them on my radar as a program I'd be interested in," Smith said. "I always wanted to play in the ACC, so that was another big reason I chose Maryland."
He spent the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons in College Park, captivating the eyes of the nation each time he touched the court. In 64 career games, Smith collected 1,290 points (20.2 per game), 683 rebounds (10.7 per game) and 190 blocks.
"It was a quick two years, but it was a fun two years," Smith said. "I have so many memories from the things we were able to do as a team and the games we won and people we upset. It was a great two years for the resurgence of the program that really propelled me into the next phase of my basketball career."
After averaging a double-double for two years, Smith was taken first overall in the 1995 NBA Draft, sending him across the nation to compete for the Golden State Warriors.
His NBA career launched him into stardom, but he never forgot the school that gave him his start. Today, he's often found on campus in College Park doing anything he can to give back to the program and safeguard its future.31 years ago today: Joe Smith was selected No. 1 overall by the @warriors in the 1995 NBA Draft. #ProTerps 🐢 pic.twitter.com/X3aojgRgrY
— Maryland Men's Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) June 28, 2026
"Because of the way college sports are being influenced nowadays, I think it's a huge step in the right direction to have former athletes involved," Smith said. "I think people appreciate that, and I want to be a part of that at Maryland. I want to be able to help Maryland succeed and continue to be one of the top programs in the country, and in order to do that, we have to have former players that wore the uniform show up and help out."
His adoration for Maryland and heart for the program took him to New York City for the Terps' "Another National Championship" event and he was happy to meet and mingle with Terrapin supporters — until he became the focus of the night.
Former head coach Gary Williams was up on stage, honoring some of the players who brought Maryland its national championship in 2002. Juan Dixon, Steve Blake and Lonny Baxter all had their moment in the spotlight before Williams dropped the announcement that Smith would be joining the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame in 2026.
"It was a huge surprise," Smith said. "I was sitting there and my mouth just dropped. Everybody stood up and gave me a standing ovation. I walked up on stage with tears in my eyes because it was a huge surprise and something I didn't expect. It was a great experience, and what an honor."
Smith was touched to see the love from his alma mater and humbled to join the all-time greats in Maryland immortality. The one thing he wants the fans to know is that he'll never forget the love he's felt from the minute he joined the program.
"I just want people to know how much I appreciate the Maryland family," Smith said. "From the time I stepped foot on campus to the time I decided to go to the NBA, it was a warm atmosphere and a true family. Every time I return to campus, it's nothing but love, and I just want people to know how much I appreciate them."
On Oct. 16, Smith will return to College Park once again, this time to take his place among the names that helped shape Maryland Athletics. The ceremony will mark another chapter in a connection that began more than three decades ago — but for Smith, the legacy he leaves at Maryland isn't about what's already been accomplished. It's about the people, the memories and the smiles that keep bringing him back home.
Thursday, October 01
Saturday, September 19
Friday, August 28
Tuesday, August 04
