Tom Stith
Thomas Alvin Stith, born in Greensville County, Virginia, was an American professional basketball player who played for the NBA's New [York Knicks]. A 6'5" forward, Stith was an All-American at St. Bonaventure University in 1960 and 1961.
College career
Stith attended St. Francis Preparatory School in Brooklyn and committed to St. Bonaventure University, where he and older brother Sam formed a formidable 1-2 punch. The Stith brothers posted a 52.0 points per game combined scoring average for the 1959–1960 season. Tom Stith became St. Bonaventure's first consensus NCAA [Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American] in 1960 and 1961. Stith left St. Bonaventure as the school's all-time leading scorer, ending his career with 2,052 points. Stith finished second in the nation in scoring to Oscar Robertson in 1960, averaging 31.5 points per game, and he then finished third in 1961 with 29.6 points per game.Professional career
After completing his collegiate eligibility, Stith was selected by the New York Knicks as the second pick overall in the 1961 [NBA draft], behind Indiana's Walt Bellamy. He made the team and played in 46 games over the 1961–62 seasons. However, Stith contracted tuberculosis only a month into the season, and his NBA career was cut short at 25 games and 3.2 points per game.Stith played in the Eastern [Professional Basketball League] from 1963 to 1966. He was selected to the All-EPBL First Team in 1965.