Mike Gminski

Mike Gminski

Gminski at a 2020 college basketball game
Personal information
Born	(1959-08-03) August 3, 1959 (age 65) Monroe, Connecticut, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school	Masuk (Monroe, Connecticut)
College	Duke (1976–1980)
NBA draft	1980: 1st round, 7th overall pick
Selected by the New Jersey Nets
Playing career	1980–1994
Position	Center
Number	42, 43
Career history
1980–1988	New Jersey Nets
1988–1991	Philadelphia 76ers
1991–1994	Charlotte Hornets
1994	Milwaukee Bucks
Career highlights and awards
Consensus first-team All-American (1979) Consensus second-team All-American (1980) ACC Player of the Year (1979) 3× First-team All-ACC (1978–1980) ACC co-Rookie of the Year (1977) No. 43 retired by Duke Blue Devils
Career NBA statistics
Points	10,953 (11.7 ppg)
Rebounds	6,480 (6.9 rpg)
Assists	1,203 (1.3 apg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

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

Gminski played his high school ball for Masuk High School in Monroe, CT, where he graduated in three years. He is considered a pioneer in reclassifying, graduating early to jump start his college basketball career.^[3]

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.^[4]

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,^[5] 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.

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.^[6] 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.^[7]

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.^{[citation needed]}

• List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds

• Career statistics from NBA.com and Basketball Reference