“We are all heartbroken by Sekou’s tragic death,” said Turner Sports, which broadcasts and operates the NBA TV ad NBA.com, in a statement. “His commitment to journalism and the basketball community was immense and we are going to miss his warm and engaging personality.”
Smith covered the NBA for more than 20 years, including 11 years at Turner Sports, which, like CNN, is owned by WarnerMedia.
“The NBA deplores the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family. Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated NBA reporters and a great friend to so many in the league,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. in a statement.
“Sekou’s love for basketball was clear to everyone who met him and always shone in his work. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife, Heather, and their children, Gabriel, Rielly and Cameron,” said Silver.
Smith began his career in journalism as a sports reporter at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1994, according to his LinkedIn profile. He then worked four years each at The Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before joining Turner Sports.
Loved in the basketball community, Smith’s death – on the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death just a year ago – received numerous accolades from players and coaches.
“Although I have known him since he was with AJC, but I was fortunate enough to work with him on NBA TV,” wrote Van Gundy. “I knew him well enough to know 3 things – I was lucky to be with him, I wanted to get to know him better and he was a good man.”
Dwyane Wade, retired legend of the Miami Heat, echoed those sentiments.
And in Smith’s hometown of Atlanta, the Hawks shared a few words about his death, while Smith covered the team for five years.
Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said in an interview after the game on Tuesday that it was a difficult day, both with Bryant’s birthday and the news about Smith, calling him “as genuine a person as in the industry. “
Smith leaves his wife Heather and their three children Gabriel, Reilly and Cameron.