NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith dies at 48 due to COVID-19

NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith dies at 48 due to COVID-19

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11:39 pm ET

  • Tim BontempsESPN

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

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Smith went to college at Jackson State, Mississippi, before starting his career at Clarion-Ledger in Jackson. He went on to become a fixture in the NBA universe – first as a beat writer, covering the Indiana Pacers for the Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Hawks for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, before joining Turner Sports in 2009.

For more than a decade, Smith starred on all Turner platforms, serving as NBA TV analyst, NBA.com writer and host of the Hang Time Podcast.

Smith leaves his wife, Heather, and their three children, Gabriel, Rielly and Cameron.

“We are all heartbroken by Sekou’s tragic death. His commitment to journalism and the basketball community was immense and we will miss his warm and engaging personality,” Turner Sports said in a statement. “He was loved by his friends and colleagues at Turner Sports and the NBA. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones.”

Smith was universally loved in the basketball world, both for the work he produced in his nearly two decades covering the sport and, most importantly, for being a kind and decent person, with an ever-present smile and a wonderful laugh. These virtues, and many others, were reinforced in the dissemination of messages on social networks after the news of his death.

In addition to his colleagues in the journalism industry, the honors came from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as well as Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy.

“The NBA regrets the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family,” Silver said in a statement. “Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated NBA reporters and a great friend to so many across the league. He covered the game for more than two decades, including the past 11 years at Turner Sports, where he showed his ability. of skills as an engaging television analyst, podcast presenter and writer Sekou’s love of basketball was clear to everyone who knew him and has always stood out in his work. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife, Heather, and their children, Gabriel , Rielly and Cameron. “

Both Kerr and Van Gundy spent time working with Smith at Turner Sports, and they had time to acknowledge his death after their respective teams trained on Tuesday.

“I just heard the news about Sekou Smith and I am devastated,” said Kerr. “I know I speak for our entire organization, just for the overwhelming news today. Sekou has been part of the NBA family for a long time.

“I just want to express our organization’s condolences to the Sekou family.”

“He hit it hard,” said Van Gundy, who worked with Smith at Turner Sports before taking over as Pelicans before this season. Van Gundy said he heard the news shortly before training began. “I think for all of us, this COVID thing has been painful, to say the least. But when you lose someone you know, and that you admire and respect and who is young. I mean, he may not be young for some of your boys’ standards, but young by my standards – it’s very, very difficult.

“This thing is so scary and has brought so much pain to so many people … Today is one of those days. There are many people in Atlanta today mourning a great man in Sekou.”

NBA players past and present also offered their condolences for his death, including Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul and future Hall of Fame member Dwyane Wade.

Smith, a passionate fan of the Michigan Wolverines, mentored numerous colleagues in the industry as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. He was also one of the few journalists who spent time inside the NBA bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, to cover last season’s playoffs, including the NBA finals.

Both the NABJ and the Professional Basketball Writers Association issued statements honoring his life and legacy, as did the Pacers and Hawks, the two teams he covered as an event writer.

“Sekou Smith’s death due to COVID-19 complications hit many members of the NABJ Sports family extremely harshly,” said the NABJ in a statement. “He was more than a colleague; he was a friend and brother of ours and of so many others.

“Our deepest prayers go out to his wife, Heather, and their children.”

“Our members are devastated by the passing of our dear friend and trusted colleague Sekou Smith,” the Association of Professional Basketball Writers said in a statement. “He was a kind and caring person and an excellent journalist. We love you, Sekou. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family and your co-workers at Turner Sports.”

The Hawks’ longtime aide, Arthur Triche, who worked with the team when Smith was covering, said to ESPN: “He was my friend before taking office here and he became my best friend.

“He was my helper on the road and people probably thought I was giving him company secrets, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He was always telling me what was going on.”

Perhaps no one summed up Smith better and more succinctly than Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce after his team defeated the LA Clippers in Smith’s hometown of Atlanta on Tuesday night.

“As genuine as a person is in the industry,” said Pierce.

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