60. OTIS SMITH/BASKETBALL
Age: 60
High School: Forrest
College: Jacksonville
Accomplishments: A second-round draft pick (No. 41 overall) of the Denver Nuggets in 1986, the small forward played six NBA seasons for Denver (1986-87), Golden State (1987-89) and Orlando (1989-92). … Averaged 10.5 points per game over his NBA career, with totals of 3,951 points, 1,416 rebounds and 690 assists. … Picked in 1989 expansion draft, Smith spent his last three playing years with the Magic, where he later served in several positions before getting elevated to general manager (2006-2012). … Had his best NBA season in 1990-91 (13.9 points, 5.2 rebounds). … At JU, he finished with 1,713 points and 911 rebounds, which is fifth and fourth, respectively, on JU’s all-time list. … He scored 47 points and 26 rebounds over three games to earn MVP of the 1986 Sun Belt Conference tournament, which advanced the Dolphins into their most recent NCAA Tournament. … An All-Sun Belt Conference first- or second-team pick all four years. … One of seven JU players to have his basketball jersey (No. 32) retired. … In high school, he led Forrest to the Class 4A state title game before losing to Plant City. … Earned Player of the Year in Duval County, averaging
19.6 points, 14.5 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 4.1 steals. … Named to Converse All-American team.
Deserving because: Though only 6foot-5, Smith’s athleticism and vertical jump allowed him to guard bigger players and maximize his potential. His leadership skills and quality production manifested itself at every level. Smith served as captain on the last JU team to reach the NCAA tournament and his high character was critical in him climbing the front-office ranks in the NBA.
On if he envisioned a 38-year career in the NBA: “Not really. After I got done playing, I was trying to figure out how I could help the most players and impact the game in multiple ways. I started in community relations and player development when none of the teams had those things back then. All of that transitioned to player personnel and becoming a GM. That wasn’t a long-term goal. It just sort of evolved.” — Otis Smith.
Where he is now: Smith lives with his wife, Coco, in the Houston area. He serves as an NBA scout in the Texas region for the Philadelphia 76ers.
59. DWAYNE CARSWELL/FOOTBALL
Age: 52
High School: Temple Christian, University Christian
College: Liberty
Accomplishments: Despite being undrafted, Carswell had a 12-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos as mostly a backup tight end until his sixth season. … Started 82 of 163 games, catching 192 passes for 1,707 yards and 15 touchdowns. … Nicknamed “The House” for his blocking ability, Carswell took over as a starter in Denver once Shannon Sharpe left after the 1999 season. … Had his best statistical year in 2000, catching 49 passes for 495 yards, three touchdowns and converting 27 first downs. … The following season, he earned his only Pro Bowl berth on 34 receptions, 299 yards and four TDs. … Carswell won two Super Bowl rings with Denver in 1997 and 1998, serving as a backup to Sharpe in wins over the
Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, respectively. … In 2005, after being moved to guard during training camp, he got some playing time as an eligible receiver in goal-line situations. …
Scored touchdowns on passes of 1 and 2 yards in a 20-7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, becoming the first offensive lineman in the Super Bowl era to record two TDs in one game. … A fivecar accident on his way to work in October 2005 essentially ended his NFL career, fracturing multiple ribs, injuring his diaphragm and spleen and requiring five hours of surgery to repair the damage after he was pulled from his crumbled 1994 Chevy Caprice. … At Liberty, he was a running back as a sophomore, rushing for 435 yards and five TDs. … Converted to tight end for his last two seasons on the advice of coach Sam Rutigliano, catching 65 passes for 511 yards and two TDs, and became the only Super Bowl champion from Liberty. … Was one of five running backs who rushed for between 500-800 yards during University Christian’s 1989 state championship season, and he caught a 58-yard touchdown on the first play of the Class A semifinal to help UC beat Greensboro 47-16.
Deserving because: Carswell had the longest NFL career of any undrafted player from the Jacksonville area besides Sam Davis. He also joined the Pittsburgh Steelers’ guard as the only player with multiple Super Bowl rings, both remarkable achievements. From high school to the NFL, Carswell played seven different positions.
On scoring two touchdowns in the same game against the Jaguars as a tackle-eligible receiver: “That was an awesome feeling. The Broncos put the [tackle-eligible] plays in that week. We had two plays we were going to run without knowing if the situation would present itself, but it worked out. I didn’t know what I had accomplished until later. As a tight end, I wasn’t thinking about the position I was in or any record. When the play is called, I’m thinking
58. DAN SIKES/GOLF
Age:
High School:
College:
Accomplishments: Won six PGA Tour events from 1963-68, earning $819,601 for his career . ... Was also instrumental in starting the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions), where he won three events and finished in the top on the money list from 1981-85 . ... Earned $488,632 during a seven-year Senior career . ... Won his first PGA Tour event at 1963 Doral Open, holding off Sam Snead by one shot, and won the 1965 Cleveland Open . ... Enjoyed his best season in 1967 when he won two events, including his hometown tournament, the Jacksonville Open, at Deerwood Country Club . ... Also won the Philadelphia Classic and finished one shot out of a playoff at the PGA Championship and runner-up to Jack Nicklaus at Westchester Classic . ... Finished fifth on 1967 money list with $111,509, won the Florida Citrus and Minnesota Open in 1968 and member of U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1969 . ... Finished among Tour’s top 60 money-winners from 1962-71 and in 1973 . ... Won 1957 U.S. Public Links championship and joined PGA
Tour in 1961 . ... Captured his first PGA Senior Tour event at 1982 Hilton Head International, tying Miller Barber for first in rain-shortened event . ... Also won the Gatlin Brothers Senior Classic and University Virginia Bank Seniors event in 1984 . ... Had three runner-up finishes in 1985 and nine top-10 finishes in 20 tournaments . ... Also UF’s first All-America golfer, in 1952 . ... Earned law degree from Florida in 1960 and inducted into Jacksonville Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
Deserving because: He was the first great pro golfer to come out of Jacksonville and was a model of consistency on both the PGA and Senior Tours. Anyone who can be competitive with the world’s best players for a significant period of time, even during an era when golf had less depth, belongs high on this list.
On Sikes: “One of the greatest compliments I heard was when Jack Nicklaus called him one of the best drivers that he’d ever seen. From a physical