Smith joined Clayton State as an assistant women’s basketball coach in November of 2018. He is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day and gameday preparations for the program.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ATLANTA HAWKS (2013-PRESENT)
Since 2013 Smith has served as a Senior Basketball Development Coach for the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Atlanta Hawks.
In that role he has delivered on-court instruction and skill development while directing and supervising weekly camps with youth and coaches. Additionally he has assisted with community workshops and marketing events throughout the Greater Atlanta area with the Hawks.
KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (2011-13)
Prior to his time with the Hawks, Smith was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
During his two years there he was responsible for recruitment, academic overview, planning and organization of practices, games and budgeting. He also handled the teaching of fundamentals and techniques as well as film exchange and scouting duties.
In 2012-13, those efforts helped lead the Cougars to a 21-8 overall record and a berth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XII Tournament. A key part of his responsibilities was also assisting with student-athletes going on to play at four-year institutions.
GLEN OAKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (2009-11)
Serving as the head women’s basketball coach at Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Michigan, Smith helped multiple student-athletes earn All-Conference and All-Region honors over the course of just two seasons.
In that that role he was responsible for the oversight of recruiting, practices, scouting, budgeting and ensuring academic excellence. His efforts in those areas led to an immediate impact as GOCC increased the win total from the previous year in 2009-10 before reaching the postseason in 2010-11. The latter was the first such appearance in six seasons.
KALAMAZOO LOY NORRIX HIGH SCHOOL (2004-09)
Smith spent five seasons at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan in a variety of roles. From 2004-07 he was the head junior varsity coach and assistant at the varsity level for the boys basketball program before transitioning to head girls basketball coach from 2006-09.
Heading up that program, Smith led the Knights to a 56-14 overall record and SMAC Central Division Championships in 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09. They also earned Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) District titles in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
As a result of those performances he was a three-time finalist for Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Region 5 Coach of the Year. Additionally, his team earned the BCAM Academic Team Award during his tenure and he coached multiple future NCAA Division I athletes in his three seasons.
YOUTH AND CAMPS EXPERIENCE (2008-18)
Over a span of a decade, Smith has amassed considerable experience at a number of camps as well as at the youth level.
Most recently that has included the Georgia Metros Girls Nike EYBL Travel Team based out of Atlanta, Georgia from 2013-15. During that time he served as an assistant coach for the 16/15U club, filling a major role in the all facets of the program, including skill development, travel and game preparation.
He also held a similar position with the Michigan Crossover Nike EYBL Travel Team based out of Detroit, Michigan from 2010-12.
On the camp scene he has served as an instructor at the Taurean Prince Basketball Camp, Maya Moore Basketball Academy, NBA D-League Bakersfield Jam Prospects Camp and the MGBR Top 100 Camp.
He was also a participant in The Sports Group Pro Scout School in Las Vegas, Nevada in July of 2014 and served as a game operations assistant with the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) from May through June of that same year.
COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE: POLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE (1998-99), TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE (2001-02)
Smith brings two years of college playing experience with him, having first competed at NJCAA member Polk Community College in 1998-99. He would wrap his college career with the 2001-02 season playing for the Trolls of NAIA member Trinity Christian College.
HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS
Over the course of his career Smith has earned a number of honors, including being named Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference Central Division Coach of the Year in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
He was also recognized by the Kalamazoo Gazette as Second-Team All-Area Coach of the Year in 2007-08 and was the Kalamazoo County Excellence in Education Significant Educator Award recipient in 2008.
EDUCATION
Smith holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Studies and an Associate of Business Administration from Davenport University. He also earned an Associates of Applied Science in Business Administration from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
