Ish Smith

Born on July 5, 1988 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Ishmael Larry “Ish” Smith is a stalwart of American professional basketball who has continually shown his prowess and talent in the sport. Smith currently plays for the Charlotte Hornets, a reputed franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). However, his journey in the sport has been anything but linear, and it is his diverse career that sets him apart as a player. Today, he holds the record for playing for the most NBA franchises with an astonishing count of 13.

Smith’s interest in basketball can be traced back to his high school years at Central Cabarrus High School where he played under Scott Brewer. Displaying remarkable talent, he averaged 24.8 points and 9.8 assists per game in his senior year. This exceptional performance led Central Cabarrus to a record of 25 wins and only 3 losses in the season and bestowed the school with the MECA-6 Conference regular season and tournament title. Smith himself was conferred with the Meca-6 Conference Player of the Year in 2006, all-conference honors, and the title of Piedmont Player of the Year by the esteemed publication, The Charlotte Observer. These accolades were not his first taste of success; Smith also excelled during his junior year that set him holding similar titles.

After graduation, he was ranked as the 28th point guard in the country and 17th point guard nationally, according to Rivals and Scout.com. He was also the 82nd prospect nationally. This promising prospect then took his next leap in the sport, entering Wake Forest to play college basketball.

At Wake Forest, Smith made his mark by finishing second in the all-time assists in school history. Throughout his four years with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, his average stood at 9.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds with 1.26 steals in 121 games. Smith was the only player in school history to hold a record of over 1,000 points (1,114) and 600 assists (612) in his career.

In his senior year, he significantly improved his averages with 13.2 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.68 steals that earned him Second-Team All-ACC, Second-Team All-District honors. Smith also received the team’s Murray Greason Award and Team Assists Leader award in the 2009-10 season, placing himself in the league of the best players.

Smith’s hard work paid off, albeit unconventionally at first. He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft but did not let this setback determine his destiny. He signed up with the Houston Rockets, marking the beginning of his professional career on August 23, 2010.

Just as his professional journey was starting, Smith was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League in January 2011. However, his performance got him back in the big leagues; he was recalled by the Rockets later that month. Through several more whirlwinds, Smith found himself playing for the Memphis Grizzlies in February 2011 followed by a myriad of NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns. Despite the shifting sands, Smith showcased his abilities, even creating new career-high records such as an 8-assist game during his time with Phoenix Suns.

His journey was far from over. Over the next decade, Smith played for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and his current team, the Charlotte Hornets. Smith’s flexibility and perseverance showed through his multiple switches, and in the process, he broke records by playing for 12 different teams, joining the ranks of Joe Smith, Chucky Brown, Jim Jackson, Kevin Ollie and Tony Massenburg.

The biggest achievement of his career was yet to come. In 2022, Smith was traded to the Denver Nuggets alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in exchange for Monté Morris and Will Barton. This marked the 13th NBA franchise he has played for, setting a new NBA record. But there was more to come; Smith’s contributions led the Denver Nuggets to win the NBA Finals, defeating the Miami Heat.

In 2023, Smith made a homecoming, returning to his birthplace in Charlotte to join the Charlotte Hornets once again. The son of Gwen and Larry Smith, and brother to two sisters and a brother, Smith attributes his success to his faith. A dedicated Christian, Ishmael Smith has a degree in religion and never misses prayer time during the national anthem before games.

Smith’s career is a testament to his resilience, adaptability, and talent. His journey reflects not just the reality of professional sports but also the undying spirit that can hold its ground in the face of uncertainty. His life and career in basketball serve as an inspiring tale for aspirants urging them to remain steadfast in the pursuit of their dreams.