There’s been some buzz around Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith. Lately, it’s not his $33 million deal with the Pacers grabbing fans’ attention, but his girlfriend, who has some impressive athletic achievements of her own.
Rumors have swirled since Smith’s college days, but few have pieced together the story of the accomplished sprinter who quietly made a name for herself in the track world. As you dig into the mix of social media silence and athletic accolades, a story emerges—one of a high-achieving athlete who found her match both on and off the track.
Aaron Nesmith’s Mysterious Lady Jordan Smith—The Sprinter Who Stole the Pacers Star’s Heart
It started in 2018, when Nesmith, a freshman forward, and Jordan Smith, a competitive first-year sprinter, arrived at Vanderbilt. Nesmith made waves early, even earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors. In his sophomore season, he averaged 23.0 points in 14 games. Meanwhile, Smith wasted no time sprinting her way into Vanderbilt’s record books.
Born and raised in Suwanee, Georgia, Smith showed speed from a young age. She stood out at Lambert High, where she ran the 4×400-meter relay. She helped set a Vanderbilt indoor record of 3:35.06 at the 2021 UNF Invitational—the second-fastest 4×400-meter relay time in school history at that point.
In 2021, she qualified for the NCAA East Regionals in the 4×400-meter relay, solidifying her status as one of the SEC’s top sprinters. She racked up 10 school records in indoor and outdoor events and ranked third all-time at Vanderbilt in the 300 meters.
According to The Lambert Post, the two first met during a study session at the Sarratt Student Center. Their friendship turned into something more, growing quietly during training sessions and weekend meets.
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Nesmith was drafted 14th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Draft, then traded to the Pacers in 2022. Smith continued her own path in track. The couple hasn’t given a formal interview and keeps their relationship private.
Now, Nesmith is averaging a career-best 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and shooting 50.7% from the field. He made arguably the biggest splash of the NBA playoffs this season when he went 8-of-9 from the 3-point line in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, helping the Pacers pull off an incredible fourth-quarter comeback.
As the Pacers prepare to face the Thunder, one thing’s clear: Aaron Nesmith and Jordan Smith are two athletes who found each other during college and built something lasting amid the spotlight of pro sports.
