Beloved NBA Reporter Sekou Smith Dies At 48 From COVID-19

Longtime NBA reporter and television analyst, Sekou Smith, died on Tuesday after a battle with COVID-19. Smith was 48 years old.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement Tuesday evening about Smith’s passing. “The NBA mourns the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family,” Silver said. The commissioner went on to praise Smith’s work saying, “Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a terrific friend to so many across the league.” Silver highlighted the work done by Smith and said, “He covered the game for more than two decades, including the past 11 years with Turner Sports, where he showed his full range of skills as an engaging television analyst, podcast host, and writer.”

Smith was an admired and loved figure in the basketball community. The reporter had been working with Turner Sports for over a decade since joining in 2009. At Turner, he served as an analyst for NBA TV, a writer for NBA.com, and a host of the Hang Time Podcast.

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Smith went to college at Jackson State in Mississippi. After college, he started working at the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson. The reporter became involved with the NBA when he started covering the Indiana Pacers for the Indianapolis Star as a beat writer. Additionally, Smith covered the Atlanta Hawks for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Hawks paid tribute to Smith before Wednesday night’s game against the Nets.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr reacted to the news of Smith’s passing saying, “I just heard the news about Sekou Smith, and I am just devastated.” The coach added, “Sekou has been a part of the NBA family for a long time.”

New Orleans Pelicans coach Steven Van Gundy, who worked alongside the reporter, said, “It just hit hard.” The Pelicans’ coach was very emotionally affected by the tragedy. “I think for all of us, this COVID thing has been painful, to say the least, but when you lose somebody that you know, admire, respect, and who is young… It’s just really, really hard,” said Van Gundy.

Smith is survived by his wife, Heather, and their three children, Gabriel, Rielly, and Cameron.