John Thompson was well known for finding recruits in out of the way places, but few like Ronnie Highsmith.

Highsmith was a triple jumper in high school who had only a passing interest in basketball. Instead of college, he enrolled in the U.S. Army, where after five years, he found himself on the base team at Ft. Lee, VA and received a visit from assistant coach Craig Esherick in 1984.

"I couldn't believe a program the caliber of Georgetown wanted me," he told the Washington Post.

Sgt. Highsmith received an honorable discharge and joined the Georgetown Hoyas in the fall of 1984, where his size, strength, and hard work earned him the praise of fans and respect of opponents.

A knee injury slowed Highsmith's mobility considerably, but did not slow his effort. Starting in 22 of his 106 games, Highsmith was a determined rebounder whose points came from close-in, averaging 61 percent for his career. Named co-captain his senior year, Highsmith eventually got a tryout with the NBA's Washington Bullets but his on-court career ended there. On a recommendation from Coach Thompson, Highsmith took a job at a Las Vegas casino, where he has enjoyed a 30 year career in the gaming and hospitality industry, now serving as a vice president at a major casino property.