Sekou Smith

Sekou Smith
Born
Sekou Kimathi Sinclair Smith

(1972-05-15)May 15, 1972
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJanuary 26, 2021(2021-01-26) (aged 48)
Marietta, Georgia, U.S.
Alma materJackson State University
OccupationSportswriter
SpouseHeather
Children3

Sekou Kimathi Sinclair Smith (May 15, 1972 – January 26, 2021) was an American sportswriter who covered the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Early life and education

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

He 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]

Personal life and death

Smith was married to his wife, Heather, with whom he had three children.[1]

He died of complications from COVID-19 in Marietta, Georgia, on January 26, 2021, at the age of 48.[1][7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Bontemps, Tim (January 26, 2021). "NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith dies at 48 due to COVID-19". ESPN. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  2. ^ JSU grad, NBA reporter passes away at 48 due to COVID-19 complications. WLBT. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Wayne Sterling (27 January 2021). "NBA reporter and analyst Sekou Smith dies of Covid-19". CNN. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  4. ^ Zillgitt, Jeff. "Sekou Smith, longtime reporter for NBA TV, dies from COVID at 48". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  5. ^ "Interview With Sekou Smith - Part I". Atlanta Hawks. Archived from the original on 2021-02-05. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  6. ^ Vivlamore, Chris. "In remembrance of my friend, the great Sekou Smith". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Brassil, Gillian R. (January 28, 2021). "Sekou Smith, Award-Winning N.B.A. Reporter and Analyst, Dies at 48". The New York Times. Retrieved February 13, 2021.