The comments on Donald Smith indicate why they say you had to be there.
First as to the question of whether he would have been a more valuable recruit if there was a three point line. My understanding was that Denny Crum, then the top assistant to John Wooden and his primary recruiter for UCLA had camped out at Donald Smith's home for a chance to get him to UCLA.
Second as to his shooting 18 footers. I only had the privilege of watching him play his Sophomore year but the shots he took at the time were almost all from beyond the three point line. The opposition would often play two men on him and meet him as he was crossing the half court. The Flyers were weak in the front court so the opposition would send a tall forward to play out on him but with his fall away jumper he would consistently, over the top of the much taller defender, drain the basket from well beyond the arc.
In a nationally televised all star game from the Dayton Arena after his senior season, the announcer who was the Dayton Play by Play man at the time was talking up Donald's ability to shoot. The half was winding down and Donald had the ball bringing up court with virtually no time left and still on the other side of the half court line Donald shoots and drains the basket with the announcer saying he can do this all the time.
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