Kenny Smith Biography: Kenny Smith born March 8, 1965 is a former professional basketball player and current American sports commentator. Known by the nickname “The Jet,” Smith played in the NBA from 1987 to 1997, suiting up for several teams including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets. He is best known for helping lead the Houston Rockets to consecutive NBA championships. Before his professional career, Smith was a standout at the University of North Carolina, where he earned consensus first-team All-American honors in his senior year (1987). That same year, he was selected sixth overall in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. After retiring from basketball, Smith transitioned into broadcasting and is now a popular analyst on Inside the NBA on TNT, an Emmy Award-winning program.
Kenny Smith Biography
Kenny Smith is an American sports commentator and former NBA player who had a successful professional basketball career from 1987 to 1997. During his time in the league, he played for several teams including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets. He is best remembered for winning two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets. Smith played his college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he was a standout for the Tar Heels. As a senior in 1987, he earned consensus first-team All-American honors. That same year, he was selected sixth overall in the NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Following his playing days, Smith transitioned to broadcasting and became a popular basketball analyst.
Kenny Smith Biography 2025 Details
| Born | March 8, 1965 New York City, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| High school | Archbishop Molloy (Queens, New York) |
| College | North Carolina (1983–1987) |
| NBA draft | 1987: 1st round, 6th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Sacramento Kings |
| Playing career | 1987–1997 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Number | 30, 31 |
| Category | Football Biographies |
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About Kenny Smith
Kenneth Smith is an American sports commentator and former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. Nicknamed “the Jet”, he played in the NBA from 1987 to 1997 as a member of the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets.
Kenny Smith Wiki
- Born: 8 March 1965 (age 60 years), Queens, New York, United States
- Spouse: Gwendolyn Osborne (m. 2006–2018)
- Dates joined: 1997 (Denver Nuggets) ·
- Children: Kayla Brianna, Malloy Adrian Smith, Kenny Smith Jr.
- Height: 1.91 m
- Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Archbishop Molloy High School New York
- Parents: Annie Mae Smith
Early Life
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, New York, Smith grew up in the LeFrak City area. He began playing basketball at Riverside Church and attended Stephen A. Halsey Junior High School in Rego Park. He later went to Archbishop Molloy High School, where he was coached by the legendary Jack Curran—the winningest high school coach in New York history. Smith was a McDonald’s All-American in 1983 before playing under the legendary Dean Smith at UNC.
A significant influence on Smith’s development was Bobby Lewis, a former South Carolina State star and First Team Division II All-American. Lewis created the Bobby Lewis Basketball Skills Development Program, which Smith attended in high school. Smith credits Lewis’s teachings with shaping his workout routines and skill development, even incorporating those drills into his own basketball camps today. Speaking of Lewis, Smith once remarked, “He’s the best lecturer ever. He had the best influence in terms of my workout regimen, without question.”
Kenny Smith Facts
Where does Kenny Smith live? And how much money does Kenny Smith earn?
| Birth Date | 8-3-1965 |
| Heritage/origin | American |
| Ethnicity | Afro-American |
| Religion – believes in God? | Christian |
| Residence | He owns a house in Stevenson Ranch, CA. |
Kenny Smith Net Worth 2025
Kenny Smith is a retired professional basketball player who played in the NBA as a member of several different teams. He is currently a basketball analyst and has won multiple Emmys for the postgame show for NBA on TNT, Inside the NBA.
| Estimated Net Worth | between $10-$15 million |
| Yearly Salary | 4 million |
| Colleagues | Bobby Lewis, Michael Jordan & David Robinson |
Houses
Kenny Smith owns a luxurious 6,106 square foot mansion in Encino, LA, with 5 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, built on a 30,000 square foot flat lot that also includes a detached 760 square foot guest house.
- Encino, Los Angeles house ($3 million million)(Swimming Pool • Sauna • Gym • Bar • )
Kenny Smith: Wife, Dating, Family & Friends
| Relationship status | Married (Since 2004) |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Current Wife of Kenny Smith | Gwendolyn Osborne |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives | Dawn Reavis |
| More info | Was previously married and divorced |
| Has any kids? | Yes, father of: Kayla, Kenneth Jr, Malloy, London, Monique |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Kayla Brianna (Daughter)
- Malloy Adrian Smith (Son)
- London Olivia Smith (Daughter)
- Kenneth Jr. (Son)
Friends
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Charles Barkley
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This fun basketball player originating from Jamaica, Queens, New York has a muscular body & oval face type.
| Hair color | Bald |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height | 190 cm |
| Weight | 77 kilo |
| Feet size | N/A |
| Does Kenny Smith smoke? | No, never |
| Does Kenny Smith have a tattoo? | No |
FAQs
What teams did Kenny Smith play for during his NBA career?
Kenny Smith played for six different NBA teams over the course of his 10-year career: the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets.
What college did Kenny Smith attend?
Kenny Smith attended the University of North Carolina, where he played under legendary coach Dean Smith and earned consensus first-team All-American honors in 1987.
What is Kenny Smith known for after retiring from the NBA?
After retiring from professional basketball, Kenny Smith became a well-known sports analyst, particularly for his work on TNT’s Inside the NBA, where he serves as a longtime commentator alongside Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.
How did Bobby Lewis influence Kenny Smith’s basketball career?
Bobby Lewis significantly influenced Kenny Smith’s training and development, particularly through his Basketball Skills Development Program. Smith attended Lewis’s lectures in high school and continued using his drills throughout his career and at his own camps.
Where did Kenny Smith grow up?
Kenny Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the LeFrak City neighborhood of Queens. He began playing basketball in local programs and schools in the area.
What high school did Kenny Smith attend?
Kenny Smith attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, where he played under the legendary coach Jack Curran and earned recognition as a McDonald’s All-American in 1983.