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Kenny Smith

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Kenny Smith

Kenneth Smith (born March 8, 1965) is an American sports commentator and former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Jet", he played in the NBA from 1987 to 1997 as a member of the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets. Smith won back-to-back NBA championships with Houston. Smith played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels, earning consensus first-team All-American honors as a senior in 1987. He was selected by Sacramento in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft with the sixth overall pick, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team with the Kings. After retiring from playing, Smith became a basketball commentator for the Emmy Award-winning Inside the NBA on TNT and ESPN. He also works as an analyst for CBS/Turner during the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

Infobox

1990
Atlanta Hawks
1996
Detroit Pistons
1997
Denver Nuggets
Born
(1965-03-08) March 8, 1965 (age 60)New York City, New York, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight
170 lb (77 kg)
High school
Archbishop Molloy(Queens, New York)
College
North Carolina (1983–1987)
NBA draft
1987: 1st round, 6th overall pick
Drafted by
Sacramento Kings
Playing career
1987–1997
Position
Point guard
Number
30, 31
1987–1990
Sacramento Kings
1990–1996
Houston Rockets
1996–1997
Orlando Magic
Points
9,397 (12.8 ppg)
Rebounds
1,454 (2.0 rpg)
Assists
4,073 (5.5 apg)
Men's basketball
Medals Men's basketball Representing United States FIBA World Championship 1986 Spain National team

Tables

· NBA career statistics › Regular season
1987–88
1987–88
Year
1987–88
Team
Sacramento
GP
61
GS
60
MPG
35.6
FG%
477
3P%
308
FT%
819
RPG
2.3
APG
7.1
SPG
1.5
BPG
1
PPG
13.8
1988–89
1988–89
Year
1988–89
Team
Sacramento
GP
81
GS
81
MPG
38.8
FG%
462
3P%
359
FT%
737
RPG
2.8
APG
7.7
SPG
1.3
BPG
1
PPG
17.3
1989–90
1989–90
Year
1989–90
Team
Sacramento
GP
46
GS
46
MPG
38.0
FG%
461
3P%
373
FT%
809
RPG
2.6
APG
6.6
SPG
1.2
BPG
2
PPG
15.0
1989–90
1989–90
Year
1989–90
Team
Atlanta
GP
33
GS
5
MPG
29.4
FG%
480
3P%
167
FT%
846
RPG
1.1
APG
4.3
SPG
7
BPG
0
PPG
7.7
1990–91
1990–91
Year
1990–91
Team
Houston
GP
78
GS
78
MPG
34.6
FG%
520
3P%
363
FT%
844
RPG
2.1
APG
7.1
SPG
1.4
BPG
1
PPG
17.7
1991–92
1991–92
Year
1991–92
Team
Houston
GP
81
GS
80
MPG
33.8
FG%
475
3P%
394
FT%
866
RPG
2.2
APG
6.9
SPG
1.3
BPG
1
PPG
14.0
1992–93
1992–93
Year
1992–93
Team
Houston
GP
82
GS
82
MPG
29.5
FG%
520
3P%
438
FT%
878
RPG
2.0
APG
5.4
SPG
1.0
BPG
1
PPG
13.0
1993–94†
1993–94†
Year
1993–94†
Team
Houston
GP
78
GS
78
MPG
28.3
FG%
480
3P%
405
FT%
871
RPG
1.8
APG
4.2
SPG
8
BPG
1
PPG
11.6
1994–95†
1994–95†
Year
1994–95†
Team
Houston
GP
81
GS
81
MPG
25.1
FG%
484
3P%
429
FT%
851
RPG
1.9
APG
4.0
SPG
9
BPG
1
PPG
10.4
1995–96
1995–96
Year
1995–96
Team
Houston
GP
68
GS
56
MPG
23.8
FG%
433
3P%
382
FT%
821
RPG
1.4
APG
3.6
SPG
7
BPG
0
PPG
8.5
1996–97
1996–97
Year
1996–97
Team
Detroit
GP
9
GS
0
MPG
7.1
FG%
400
3P%
500
FT%
1.000
RPG
6
APG
1.1
SPG
1
BPG
0
PPG
2.6
1996–97
1996–97
Year
1996–97
Team
Orlando
GP
6
GS
0
MPG
7.8
FG%
462
3P%
600
FT%
1.000
RPG
3
APG
7
SPG
0
BPG
0
PPG
2.8
1996–97
1996–97
Year
1996–97
Team
Denver
GP
33
GS
3
MPG
19.8
FG%
422
3P%
425
FT%
854
RPG
1.1
APG
3.1
SPG
5
BPG
0
PPG
7.9
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
737
GP
650
GS
30.1
MPG
480
FG%
399
3P%
829
FT%
2.0
RPG
5.5
APG
1.0
SPG
1
BPG
12.8
Year
Team
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3P%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
1987–88
Sacramento
61
60
35.6
477
308
819
2.3
7.1
1.5
1
13.8
1988–89
Sacramento
81
81
38.8
462
359
737
2.8
7.7
1.3
1
17.3
1989–90
Sacramento
46
46
38.0
461
373
809
2.6
6.6
1.2
2
15.0
1989–90
Atlanta
33
5
29.4
480
167
846
1.1
4.3
7
0
7.7
1990–91
Houston
78
78
34.6
520
363
844
2.1
7.1
1.4
1
17.7
1991–92
Houston
81
80
33.8
475
394
866
2.2
6.9
1.3
1
14.0
1992–93
Houston
82
82
29.5
520
438
878
2.0
5.4
1.0
1
13.0
1993–94†
Houston
78
78
28.3
480
405
871
1.8
4.2
8
1
11.6
1994–95†
Houston
81
81
25.1
484
429
851
1.9
4.0
9
1
10.4
1995–96
Houston
68
56
23.8
433
382
821
1.4
3.6
7
0
8.5
1996–97
Detroit
9
0
7.1
400
500
1.000
6
1.1
1
0
2.6
1996–97
Orlando
6
0
7.8
462
600
1.000
3
7
0
0
2.8
1996–97
Denver
33
3
19.8
422
425
854
1.1
3.1
5
0
7.9
Career
737
650
30.1
480
399
829
2.0
5.5
1.0
1
12.8
· NBA career statistics › Playoffs
1991
1991
Year
1991
Team
Houston
GP
3
GS
3
MPG
37.7
FG%
474
3P%
500
FT%
889
RPG
2.7
APG
8.0
SPG
1.3
BPG
0.3
PPG
15.3
1993
1993
Year
1993
Team
Houston
GP
12
GS
12
MPG
32.6
FG%
492
3P%
500
FT%
778
RPG
2.0
APG
4.2
SPG
0.8
BPG
0.1
PPG
14.8
1994†
1994†
Year
1994†
Team
Houston
GP
23
GS
23
MPG
30.3
FG%
455
3P%
447
FT%
808
RPG
2.3
APG
4.1
SPG
1.0
BPG
0.2
PPG
10.8
1995†
1995†
Year
1995†
Team
Houston
GP
22
GS
22
MPG
29.6
FG%
438
3P%
442
FT%
900
RPG
2.2
APG
4.5
SPG
0.6
BPG
0.1
PPG
10.8
1996
1996
Year
1996
Team
Houston
GP
8
GS
8
MPG
23.9
FG%
434
3P%
387
FT%
1.000
RPG
1.5
APG
4.8
SPG
0.6
BPG
0.0
PPG
8.9
Career
Career
Year
Career
Team
68
GP
68
GS
30.0
MPG
457
FG%
448
3P%
847
FT%
2.2
RPG
4.5
APG
0.8
SPG
0.1
BPG
11.5
Year
Team
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3P%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
1991
Houston
3
3
37.7
474
500
889
2.7
8.0
1.3
0.3
15.3
1993
Houston
12
12
32.6
492
500
778
2.0
4.2
0.8
0.1
14.8
1994†
Houston
23
23
30.3
455
447
808
2.3
4.1
1.0
0.2
10.8
1995†
Houston
22
22
29.6
438
442
900
2.2
4.5
0.6
0.1
10.8
1996
Houston
8
8
23.9
434
387
1.000
1.5
4.8
0.6
0.0
8.9
Career
68
68
30.0
457
448
847
2.2
4.5
0.8
0.1
11.5

References

  1. In November 2012 via Twitter, Smith claimed to have been born in Brooklyn, New York City, while most sources claim his b
  2. "Kenny Smith". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2010.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithke01.html
  3. "Famous Stanners: Kenny Smith, Class of 1983" Archived May 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. www.molloyhs.org. Retrieved
    http://www.molloyhs.org/alumni/famous_stanners.cfm
  4. "Born in brooklyn raised in queens!"
    https://x.com/TheJetOnTNT/status/269325082038513664
  5. Biography for Kenny Smith at IMDb
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1369568/bio
  6. New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/sports/jack-curran-a-mentor-in-two-sports-dies-at-82.html?_r=0
  7. www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130507101142/http://www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com/content/dam/allamerican/pdfs/Player-Alumni-List-12-2013.pdf
  8. The Philadelphia Tribune
    http://www.phillytrib.com/sports/kenny-smith-recognizes-former-bartram-high-star-bobby-lewis/article_1c5a2264-65db-5794-a1e5-53575fb5e77a.html
  9. www.sports-reference.com
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/kenny-smith-1.html
  10. www.sports-reference.com
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/north-carolina/1984.html
  11. www.sports-reference.com'
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1987-03-21-north-carolina.html
  12. www.goheels.com'
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160810072915/http://www.goheels.com/fls/3350/pdf/MBB2016/UNCRecordBook2016.pdf?SPID=12965
  13. Gone Pro: North Carolina: Tar Heel Stars Who Became Pros
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  14. www.fiba.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100626050807/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/game/p/gid/A/grid/12/rid/873/sid/2911/tid/379/_/1986_World_Championship_for_Men/statistic.html
  15. WARRIORS @ KINGS 106-134
    https://www.nba.com/game/gos-vs-sac-0028700001/box-score
  16. November 6, 1987, Sacramento, California, USA: Sacramento Kings Head Coach BILL RUSSELL, 43, court-side during a game. H
    https://www.alamy.com/november-6-1987-sacramento-california-usa-sacramento-kings-head-coach-bill-russell-43-court-side-during-a-game-hands-say-it-all-as-the-nba-legend-guides-his-troops-credit-image-owen-brewersacramento-beezuma-press-wire-image476587809.
  17. "Bill Russell Leaves Lasting Impact on Kings"
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  18. Poindexter, Bill. "Sacramento Fans Have No Problem With Dumping Bill Russell". Los Angeles Times, December 24, 1989. Ret
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  19. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/11/sports/pro-basketball-hodges-goes-the-distance.html
  20. Sun Sentinel
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-11-sp-1106-story.html
  21. Sun Sentinel
    https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1990-02-12-9001240262-story.html
  22. United Press International
    https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/02/13/Kings-trade-Smith-and-Williams-to-Atlanta/3714634885200/
  23. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/14/sports/hawks-carr-to-kings.html
  24. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-14-sp-659-story.html
  25. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/28/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-rockets-obtain-smith.html
  26. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-09-28-sp-1253-story.html
  27. Deseret News
    https://www.deseret.com/1990/9/28/18883326/rockets-hawks-work-deal
  28. "1990-91 Houston Rockets Roster and Stats". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1991.html
  29. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1991/01/04/olajuwon-injured-in-hospital/d801eaab-4821-43d7-9367-9f8632b509c0/
  30. United Press International
    https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/01/04/Olajuwon-suffers-broken-facial-bone/3925662965200/
  31. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-05-sp-6726-story.html
  32. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/01/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-olajuwon-returns.html
  33. "1990-91 Awards Voting". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.html#mvp
  34. Orlando Sentinel
    https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1991-05-03-9105031012-story.html
  35. Basketball-Reference
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1991.html
  36. Which Rockets title team was better?
    https://www.thedreamshake.com/2019/8/12/20801822/which-houston-rockets-title-team-was-better
  37. “No Rodman, no Grant? Oh we smacking them!" - Kenny Smith believes the Houston Rockets would have won the 1994 & 1995 Fi
    https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/kenny-smith-believes-houston-rockets-would-have-won-the-1994-1995-finals-even-if-michael-jordan-still-chicago-bulls
  38. "Seattle SuperSonics at Houston Rockets Box Score, May 20, 1993". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199305200HOU.html
  39. "Smith Lifts Rockets Into Game 7 : NBA playoffs: Guard scores 30 points as Houston pulls away from Seattle in third quar
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-05-21-sp-37763-story.html
  40. "1994–95 Houston Rockets Schedule and Results"
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/1995_games.html
  41. USA Today
    https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2019/02/14/houston-rockets-clyde-drexler-trade-february-14-1995/
  42. "The 60 Greatest Playoff Moments: Honorable Mention". www.nba.com. Retrieved on January 28, 2010.
    http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/moments/60moments_hm_21-31.html
  43. "Houston Rockets at Orlando Magic Box Score, June 7, 1995". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
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  44. Howard, Johnette. "SAM I AM WITH TEAMMATES, FOES AND REFS, HOUSTON ROCKET POINT GUARD SAM CASSELL LIKES TO TALK THE TALK
    https://www.si.com/vault/1995/11/13/8098745/sam-i-am-with-teammates-foes-and-refs-houston-rocket-point-guard-sam-cassell-likes-to-talk-the-talk-and-hes-happy-to-back-it-up-come-crunch-time
  45. McGuire, Paul. "History in Hindsight: The Houston Rockets, The Seattle SuperSonics, and Hakeem Olajuwon's greatest foe".
    http://www.red94.net/14511/14511/#
  46. "Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets Box Score, May 2, 1996". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
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  47. Hansford, Corey. "Throwback Thursday: Magic Johnson Makes A Comeback In 1996". www.lakersnation.com, December 12, 2013.
    http://www.lakersnation.com/throwback-thursday-magic-johnson-makes-a-comeback-in-1996/2013/12/12/
  48. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/18/sports/pistons-get-a-bargain-in-smith.html
  49. Chicago Tribune
    https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-09-18-9609180279-story.html
  50. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-24-sp-2691-story.html
  51. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
    https://www.nydailynews.com/1996/12/18/with-penny-out-orlando-turns-to-kenny-smith/
  52. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/29/sports/nba-preview-97-98-kenny-smith-a-poor-fit-with-nets-is-cut.html
  53. Associated Press
    https://apnews.com/article/56f1e10570965375e8931eed3ccece5a
  54. "Denver Nuggets Career Leaders". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/leaders_career.html
  55. "Sacramento Kings Career Leaders". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/leaders_career.html
  56. "Houston Rockets Season Leaders". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/leaders_season.html
  57. "Houston Rockets Career Leaders". www.basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
    https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/leaders_career.html
  58. "Kenny Smith: Inside the NBA Analyst" Archived August 18, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. www.nba.com. Retrieved on Januar
    http://www.nba.com/inside/smith_tnt_bio.html
  59. Cherner, Reid. "Chemistry, characters carry NBA show above pack". USA Today, April 8, 2007. Retrieved on January 29, 201
    https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2007-05-06-tnt-show-cover_N.htm
  60. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/23/sports/kenny-smith-wasnt-a-star-tnts-inside-the-nba-made-him-one.html
  61. NBA.com
    http://www.nba.com/history/all-star/shooting-stars#/
  62. Bleacher Report
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2711319-kenny-smith-says-his-rockets-team-wouldve-beaten-94-bulls-with-michael-jordan
  63. sports.yahoo.com
    https://sports.yahoo.com/kenny-smith-walks-of-tn-ts-inside-the-nba-set-in-solidarity-with-players-225515925.html
  64. Sports Illustrated
    https://www.si.com/media/2022/10/17/tnt-announces-extensions-for-all-four-inside-the-nba-personalities
  65. Hustle (2022) - IMDb
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8009428/fullcredits
  66. twitter.com
    https://twitter.com/sold_by_dawn
  67. Minnis, Glenn. "Daddy's Little Girl: Kenny Smith and Daughter Kayla Brianna Look to Rock Music Industry". Vibe, February
    http://www.vibe.com/2012/02/daddys-little-girl-kenny-smith-and-daughter-kayla-brianna-look-rock-music-industry/
  68. University of North Carolina Athletics
    http://goheels.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=14658
  69. "UNC's K.J. Smith played college basketball at the highest level. Now, he's covering it as a national analyst"
    https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2021/09/06/kj-smith-north-carolina-tar-heels-basketball-on-3-sports/5647925001/
  70. LIVERAMPUP
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180219151437/http://liverampup.com/sports/basket-player-kenny-smith-divorce-wife-kids-salary-net-worth.html
  71. "TBS's 'Meet the Smiths' gives NBA analyst Kenny Smith the spotlight"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170318085138/http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2015/04/03/tbss-meet-the-smiths-gives-nba-analyst-kenny-smith-the-spotlight/
  72. 'Gwendolyn Osborne, a Barker beauty on the Price is Right, wed former NBA Star Kenny "the Jet" Smith.' www.prweb.com, Se
    https://web.archive.org/web/20061021233343/http://prweb.com/releases/kennysmith/gwendolynosborne/prweb434676.htm
  73. The Blast
    https://theblast.com/c/kenny-smith-ex-wife-garnishing-paychecks
  74. National Urban League Kenny Smith, retrieved May 12, 2025.
    https://nul.org/basic-page/kenny-smith
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