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| Nolan Smith | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nolan Smith |
| Position | Shooting guard / Point guard |
| Weight lb | 185 |
| Birth date | 25 November 1988 |
| Birth place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| College | Duke (2007–2011) |
| Draft year | 2011 |
| Draft pick | 21 |
| Draft team | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Career start | 2011 |
| Career end | 2016 |
| Career number | 7, 10 |
Nolan Smith (born November 25, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player and current coach. He played collegiate basketball for the Duke Blue Devils and was a second-round selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. He has served on coaching staffs at the collegiate level and worked in player development roles while remaining connected to programs and organizations across ACC and NBA circles.
Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in the Wynnefield neighborhood before moving to the Main Line area. He attended Germantown Academy and later transferred to Archbishop Carroll High School briefly, finishing at Christ School in Asheville, North Carolina. As a prep standout he competed in high-profile events including the McDonald's All-American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit, sharing the stage with peers who later played for programs like Kentucky, UCLA, and North Carolina. Recruit rankings placed him among the top guards nationally, drawing scholarship offers from storied programs such as Duke, UConn, and Villanova.
At Duke, Smith played under head coach Mike Krzyzewski and joined a roster with future NBA players and ACC rivals. Over four seasons (2007–2011) with the Blue Devils he developed into a primary scorer and perimeter defender, contributing to conference competition against teams like Wake Forest, Florida State, and Clemson. In his senior season he was a consensus All-ACC selection and earned recognition on All-American ballots, reflecting performances in games versus Maryland and Louisville. He helped lead Duke to deep runs in the ACC Tournament and appearances in the NCAA Tournament, where matchups included squads from the Big Ten and Big 12. His collegiate résumé included accolades from organizations such as the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
Smith was selected 21st overall in the 2011 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers and was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of draft-night transactions involving picks and veterans from franchises including Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. He signed with the New Orleans Hornets (later the New Orleans Pelicans) and split time between the NBA and the NBA Development League with affiliates like the Iowa Energy and Bakersfield Jam as the league structure shifted under the collective bargaining framework affecting players from teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. Injuries hampered portions of his professional tenure, and he later competed overseas and in developmental circuits that included stints with clubs tied to European competitions and summer leagues attended by representatives from Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. Smith officially stepped away from active play in the mid-2010s as roster dynamics across the NBA and international markets evolved.
After retiring, Smith transitioned to coaching and player development roles, joining staffs in the Atlantic Coast Conference and collaborating with coaching figures associated with Duke and other major programs. He served as an assistant and director-level staff member focusing on guard play, perimeter offense, and recruiting operations, interacting with institutions such as Louisville and participating in clinics alongside staff from North Carolina and Syracuse. His roles included mentorship of prospects eligible for the NBA draft and coordination with scouting departments that monitor competitions in the Big Ten Conference, SEC, and Big East Conference. Smith has also worked in community initiatives linked to organizations like the NBA G League and charity events that involve alumni from Duke and former NBA players.
Smith was known as a combo guard with a combination of perimeter shooting, on-ball defense, and midrange creation, traits valued by NBA teams such as the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. Scouts compared his skill set to contemporary guards who blended scoring and defensive effort in systems run by coaches like Mike Krzyzewski at Duke and professional coaches from franchises including the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. He displayed a reliable three-point shot in collegiate seasons against ACC defenses like Virginia and used footwork and positioning to guard opposing guards from programs such as Villanova and Kansas. His basketball IQ and work ethic were noted by personnel directors and development coaches within the NBA and at the collegiate level.
Smith is part of a basketball family and his relatives have been involved with youth programs and high school athletics across Pennsylvania and North Carolina. He has participated in alumni events for Duke and charity tournaments featuring former NBA players and collegiate standouts, collaborating with organizations like the Hoop Summit and the McDonald's All-American Game alumni networks. Off the court he has been involved in mentorship initiatives aimed at preparing high school prospects for college competition and interfacing with scouting services and coaching staffs from conferences across the United States.
Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:American men's basketball players Category:Duke Blue Devils men's basketball players Category:Portland Trail Blazers draft picks Category:Basketball players from Philadelphia