Former UNLV guard Robert Smith joins Rebels hoops broadcast team

By Ryan Greene

Monday, Aug. 3, 2009 | 2:36 p.m.

Former UNLV point guard Robert Smith, who starred alongside Glen Gondrezick from 1974-77, will take the seat next to play-by-play man Jon Sadler this season during Rebels radio broadcasts.

'Gondo' had served as a television and radio analyst for the past 17 seasons. He passed away on April 27 at the age of 53. Gondrezick underwent heart transplant surgery on Sept. 20, 2008.

Smith was the point guard on UNLV's first Final Four squad in 1977, and his career free-throw percentage of 87.8 remains tops in the Rebels record books. He also owns the single-season mark at 92.5 percent, which he shot during the 1976-77 campaign.

Smith played in the NBA for seven years, then played four in the CBA and seven more in France. He then coached for nine years at Bishop Gorman, winning a pair of state titles.

“It is great to be coming back to be a part of the team,” Smith said. “It is very exciting for me as a former student-athlete to be involved with UNLV. I always felt a part of the program, but now I will get to work that much closer with the team and I am thrilled to be a part of the university again. I am looking forward to getting started.”