Duke, 1980
• 1978 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1979 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1980 Academic All-America®
Michael Gminski was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame in 2006.
Connecticut native Mike Gminski will be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players in Duke University history. The Monroe, Conn. native suited up at center for the Blue Devils from 1977-1980. He started off strong as a freshman in 1977, earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors. He finished his career by leading the team in scoring during his junior and senior seasons.
Gminski’s superior play earned him many honors throughout his college career. He was named First Team All-ACC in 1978, 1979, and 1980, and ACC Player of the Year in 1979. He was AP Second Team All-American in 1979 and 1980 and the UPI First Team All-American in 1979 and UPI Second Team All-American in 1980. At the close of his senior season in 1980, Gminski was Duke’s career leader in points with 2323, rebounds with 1242, and blocked shots with 345. His number 43 jersey is retired and hangs from the rafters in Duke’s world-famous Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Gminski graduated from Duke in 1980 with a degree in history. He entered the NBA after graduation, going to the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 1980 Draft. He played for the Nets from 1981 to 1988 and then continued his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, and Milwaukee Bucks. Gminski was well-known throughout his career for his free-throw shooting skills, converting 84% of his attempts.
Gminksi retired from the NBA in 1994 before working as an ACC basketball commentator for Fox Sports.