Stephen A. Smith has made a name for himself in the sports world. Be it the NBA or the NFL, Smith is known for his bold takes on players and teams, never shying away from sharing a controversial opinion.
Of course, Smith is bringing in big money with his reported five-year, $100 million deal with ESPN. However, before taking over as a popular analyst and broadcaster, what was Smith’s athletic career like?
Did Stephen A. Smith Ever Play in the NBA?
Known for his deep basketball knowledge and insight into the league, some might assume Smith has an NBA background. However, he never played in the NBA or any other professional basketball league.
Smith started at the Fashion Institute of Technology before earning a basketball scholarship to Winston-Salem State University, a historically Black institution in North Carolina.
@pardonmytake Stephen A Smith once made 17 3 pointers in a row during a basketball tryout #fyp
In 2023, Smith revealed that he earned the scholarship after hitting 17 3-pointers during tryouts. “What happened was, a guy by the name of Harold Funny Kit, used to go to Winston-Salem University in the ’70s. And he was still tightly associated with the school and tightly associated with Clarence ‘Big House’ Gaines, who was the legendary coach down there,” Smith explained.
“He told coach Gaines he had a player for him to see. And coach Gaines had him bring me down there on the weekend. And before I stepped out on the court, rather, coach Gaines looked at me and then he looked at him, he said, ‘Is this the little motherf***er you’ve been bragging about?'”
Smith knew he had to prove himself, eventually sinking 17 3s to secure the scholarship.
Why Did Smith’s Basketball Career End?
Unfortunately, Smith’s basketball career ended before it truly began. Speaking on “Podcast P with Paul George,” Smith dove into his history with basketball and what happened at Winston-Salem State.
“I was on a basketball scholarship at Winston-Salem State University. My first year there, I cracked my kneecap in half. I was never able to play again. I actually had to leave school for a semester to go home under my mother’s insurance to rehab because they wouldn’t pay for the insurance in North Carolina,” Smith said.
“I would come back, make the team, trying to practice, and once every 36 to 48 hours, my knee would just give out. I couldn’t run without the limp, and that’s what happened.”
Eventually, Smith had to quit playing altogether. Still, his love for basketball never faded. With his new ESPN contract, Smith will continue to create even more content.
Stephen A. Smith Agrees to $100M+Deal, Making him highest-paid talent at ESPN. Deal includes:
– Ability to cover Monday Night Football like his idol Howard Cosell.
– Freedom to pursue projects outside ESPN.
– Will expand his production co. with Disney.https://t.co/uIgOiwjAPe— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) March 7, 2025
This new deal opens up multiple avenues for Smith while letting him explore non-ESPN projects as well. And though the 57-year-old never played basketball professionally, he certainly continues to maintain his sharp knowledge of the game.