His parents were teachers , and his father , Alfred , coached the local high school basketball team , which included the first African - American player in Kansas state tournament history .
Smith was born Feb. 28 , 1931 , in Emporia , Kansas .
Smith 's parents were teachers , and his father , Alfred , coached the local high school basketball team , which included the first African - American player Kansas Kansas state tournament history .
Smith was born Feb. 28 , 1931 , in Emporia , Kansas .