Sekou Smith
Sekou Kimathi Sinclair Smith (May 15, 1972 – January 26, 2021) was an American sportswriter who covered the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Early life
Smith was a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan.[1] He graduated from Jackson State University in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in communications.[2]
Career
Smith covered college football, basketball, and baseball for The Clarion-Ledger from 1994 until 2001, during his university studies and after.[3][4] Smith was an NBA beat writer for four years each at The Indianapolis Star and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[5][6] He started working at Turner Broadcasting as a senior analyst for NBA Digital in November 2009. He also worked as the creator and author of Sekou Smith’s Hang Time Blog on NBA.com, a host of The Hang Time Podcast, and a Senior Analyst on NBA TV’s The Beat. Smith was one of the small number of journalists inside the NBA's bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida covering the 2020 playoffs and the NBA Finals.
Smith mentored many colleagues as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.[1]
Family
Smith was married to his wife, Heather, with whom he had three children.[1]
Death
Smith died of COVID-19 at the age of 48 on January 26, 2021.[1][7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bontemps, Tim (January 26, 2021). "NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith dies at 48 due to COVID-19". ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ↑ JSU grad, NBA reporter passes away at 48 due to COVID-19 complications. WLBT. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ↑ CNN, Wayne Sterling. "NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith dies of Covid-19". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ Zillgitt, Jeff. "Sekou Smith, longtime reporter for NBA TV, dies from COVID at 48". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ "Interview With Sekou Smith - Part I". Atlanta Hawks. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ Vivlamore, Chris; Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta. "In remembrance of my friend, the great Sekou Smith". ajc. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ↑ Boren, Cindy (January 27, 2021). "NBA reporter Sekou Smith, who died of COVID-19 at 48, is remembered for his kindness". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-01-28.