The Detroit Free-Press posts an absolutely heartbreaking story about Nolan Smith’s father Derek Smith. Without going into the salient details, let’s just say that the story of Smith’s death at age 34 (when Nolan was eight) chipped away ever so slightly at my coarse hatred for Duke. It also made me rethink my post today, which was going to be My Two Favorite Moments in Duke Basketball History (the ’99 Championship loss to UCONN and Peter Rosenberg’s This Is Why You Suck, respectively).

Prior to having a promising basketball future irreversibly stunted by tragedy, Smith was part of the 1979-80 NCAA Champion Louisville team. He was regarded as the team’s emotional leader, and yes, claims to have invented the high five with his fellow Cardinal players that year.

The claim is recorded in P. Dickson’s Basketball Dictionary

“The origin of the gesture and the term were claimed by Derek Smith of the University of Louisville basketball team, which won the NCAA championship in the 1979-80 season. Smith was quoted [widely] to the effect that he and two fellow Georgians on the Louisville squad, Wiley Brown and Daryl Cleveland … [created the] high five during pre-season practice and introduced [it] to the nation in 1979.”

Nolan Smith had 13 points, four assists and played every second of last night’s Championship Final. He’ll have no less than several thousand opportunities to realize his dad’s vision for the high five over the next couple days – now that’s what I call a legacy.

Despise Duke? Maybe Nolan Smith will change your mind (Freep.com)