History of Kenny Smith in Timeline

Kenny "The Jet" Smith is a former professional basketball player and current sports commentator. He played in the NBA from 1987 to 1997 for several teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets. He won two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets. Since retiring from the NBA, Smith has become a well-known basketball analyst.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 8, 1965: Kenneth Smith Born

On March 8, 1965, Kenneth Smith, later nicknamed "The Jet", was born. He would become a sports commentator and former NBA player.

1983: Start of College Career

From 1983 to 1987, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina to a record of 115-22.

1983: McDonald's All-American

In 1983, Kenny Smith was named a McDonald's All-American while attending Archbishop Molloy High School.

1984: ACC Championship

From 1983 to 1987, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championships in 1984 and 1987, and tied for first in 1985.

1984: NCAA Tournament Loss

In 1984, Kenny Smith played on a North Carolina team that finished the season ranked #1. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.0 assists per game, but the Tar Heels lost to Indiana in the regional semifinals of the 1984 NCAA tournament.

1985: Elite Eight Appearance

From 1983 to 1987, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina to a record of 115-22, including two Elite Eight appearances in 1985 and 1987.

1986: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 1986, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina to a Sweet Sixteen appearance.

1986: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal

In 1986, Kenny Smith represented the United States in the FIBA World Championship, where he won a Gold Medal over the Soviet Union and was second on the team in scoring.

November 6, 1987: NBA Debut

On November 6, 1987, Kenny Smith made his NBA debut for the Sacramento Kings against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 11 points with five assists.

1987: ACC Championship

From 1983 to 1987, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina win the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championships in 1984 and 1987, and tied for first in 1985.

1987: UNC Degree

In 1987, Kenny Smith earned a degree in Industrial Relations from UNC.

1987: All-American Honors and NBA Draft

In 1987, Kenny Smith earned consensus first-team All-American honors as a senior in college. He was then selected by Sacramento in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team with the Kings.

1987: NBA and College Career in 1987

In 1987, Kenny Smith earned consensus first-team All-American honors during his senior year at North Carolina. He was also selected by Sacramento in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft.

1987: Consensus All-American and Elite Eight

In 1987, Kenny Smith was named a Consensus All-American (1st Team), averaging 16.9 points and 6.1 assists per game while helping North Carolina return to the Elite Eight.

1988: League Rankings

In the 1988–89 season Kenny Smith was fifth in the league in minutes played, seventh in minutes per game, and tenth in total assists.

1989: Trade to the Houston Rockets

After the 1989–90 season, Kenny Smith and Roy Marble were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Lucas and Tim McCormick.

1989: Trade to Atlanta Hawks

Midway through the 1989-90 NBA season, Kenny Smith was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Antoine Carr.

1990: Trade to the Houston Rockets

After the 1989–90 season, Kenny Smith and Roy Marble were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Lucas and Tim McCormick.

1991: Assists Leader and MVP Votes

In the 1990-91 NBA season, Kenny Smith averaged 17.7 points per game and led the Houston Rockets in assists per game (7.1). He also received votes for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

1992: Averaging in playoff games

From the 1992-93 to 1994-95 seasons, Smith averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, with a three-point percentage of .425. In 57 playoff games during the same period, Smith had nearly identical averages of 11.6 points and 4.3 assists, shooting .456 from three-point range.

1992: Playoff Game Win

In 1992, Kenny Smith helped to force a game seven against Seattle by scoring 30 points, shooting 4–6 from three-point range, in a Game 6 victory for Houston.

1992: NBA Top Ten Finishes

Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in three-point percentage from 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95, and top ten in free throw percentage twice in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

1993: Averaging in playoff games

1993: NBA Top Ten Finishes

Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in three-point percentage from 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95, and top ten in free throw percentage twice in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

1993: NBA Championships

The Houston Rockets won back-to-back NBA championships in 1993–94 and 1994–95 with Kenny Smith as the starting point guard.

1994: Averaging in playoff games

1994: Hypothetical NBA Finals Claim

In 2017, Kenny Smith stated on the Scoop B Radio Podcast that the 1994 Houston Rockets would have beaten Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had they faced each other in the NBA Finals.

1994: NBA Top Ten Finishes

Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in three-point percentage from 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95, and top ten in free throw percentage twice in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

1994: NBA Championships

The Houston Rockets won back-to-back NBA championships in 1993–94 and 1994–95 with Kenny Smith as the starting point guard.

1995: NBA Finals Game 1 Record

During the first game of the 1995 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, Kenny Smith scored 23 points, 9 assists and made seven three-pointers, including the game-tying shot, which sent the game into overtime. His 7 three pointers in the first game of the 1995 NBA Finals was an NBA record at the time.

1995: Continued Role with the Rockets

Kenny Smith continued to be the Rockets' starting point guard through the 1995–96 season.

September 17, 1996: Signing with Detroit Pistons

On September 17, 1996, Kenny Smith signed with the Detroit Pistons.

December 18, 1996: Signing with Orlando Magic

On December 18, 1996, Kenny Smith signed with the Orlando Magic, although he was released after just six games.

1997: NBA Career End

In 1997, Kenny Smith concluded his NBA playing career, having played from 1987 to 1997 with several teams including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets.

1997: Signing with Denver Nuggets

In 1997, Kenny Smith signed with the Denver Nuggets, his third team that season. He attended training camp in 1997 with the New Jersey Nets, but did not make John Calipari's final roster and retired shortly after.

1998: Joins Turner Sports

In early 1998, Kenny Smith joined Turner Sports as a studio analyst for the NBA regular season and playoffs.

2001: Commentary for Goodwill Games

In 2001, Kenny Smith covered basketball for the Goodwill Games.

2004: Meeting Gwendolyn Osborne

In 2004, Kenny Smith met English model Gwendolyn Osborne at a charity event.

2005: Commentary for MSG Network

From 2005 to 2008, Kenny Smith provided commentary for the MSG Network's broadcasts of New York Knicks games.

September 8, 2006: Marriage to Gwendolyn Osborne

On September 8, 2006, Kenny Smith married English model Gwendolyn Osborne.

2008: Commentary for MSG Network

From 2005 to 2008, Kenny Smith provided commentary for the MSG Network's broadcasts of New York Knicks games.

2010: Shooting Stars Competition Win

During the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, Kenny Smith was a member of the Texas team that won the Shooting Stars Competition.

2010: Three Point Percentage Rank

Through 2010, Kenny Smith's career three-point percentage of .399 was 42nd in NBA history.

2016: School Ranking in Assists

As of 2016, Kenny Smith ranks second in school history in total assists (768), fourth in total steals (195), and fifth in assists per game at UNC.

2016: Denver Nuggets Franchise Record

Through 2016 Kenny Smith held the Denver Nuggets franchise record for career three-point percentage (.425).

2017: Houston Rockets Would Have Beaten Chicago Bulls

In 2017, Kenny Smith stated on the Scoop B Radio Podcast that the 1994 Houston Rockets would have beaten Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had they faced each other in the NBA Finals.

2018: Son's College Basketball Career Start

From 2018 to 2021 Kenny Smith's son K. J., played basketball for the University of North Carolina, his father's alma mater.

2018: Divorce Filing

In 2018, Gwendolyn Osborne filed for divorce from Kenny Smith.

August 26, 2020: Solidarity Boycott on Inside the NBA

On the August 26, 2020 edition of Inside the NBA, Kenny Smith left the set as a show of solidarity with the six teams that elected to boycott the day's games in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake.

2021: Son's Basketball Analyst Career and End of College Career

From 2018 to 2021 Kenny Smith's son K. J., played basketball for the University of North Carolina, his father's alma mater and in 2021 is a national basketball analyst with the website On3.com.