History of Kenny Smith in Timeline

Kenny "The Jet" Smith is an American sports commentator and former professional basketball player. He played in the NBA from 1987 to 1997 for six teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets. Smith achieved significant success with the Houston Rockets, winning two consecutive NBA championships. Following his playing career, Smith transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a well-known sports commentator.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 8, 1965: Kenneth Smith Born

On March 8, 1965, Kenneth Smith, later known as Kenny "the Jet" Smith, was born. He became a sports commentator and former NBA player.

1983: Start of College Career

From 1983 to 1984, Kenny Smith started playing basketball at the University of North Carolina.

1983: McDonald's All-American

In 1983, Kenny Smith was named a McDonald's All-American before playing basketball at the University of North Carolina.

1984: ACC Championship

In 1984, Kenny Smith and North Carolina won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championship.

1984: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1984, Kenny Smith played with Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins on the North Carolina team that finished the season ranked #1, losing to Indiana in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

1985: ACC Championship

In 1985, Kenny Smith and North Carolina tied for first in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

1985: Elite Eight Appearance

In 1985, Kenny Smith led North Carolina to the Elite Eight, losing to eventual national champion Villanova.

1986: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

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

1986: FIBA World Championship

In 1986, Kenny Smith represented the United States in the FIBA World Championship, winning a Gold Medal.

November 6, 1987: NBA Debut

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

1987: ACC Championship

In 1987, Kenny Smith and North Carolina won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championship.

1987: NBA Career Begins

In 1987, Kenny Smith began his NBA career, playing from 1987 to 1997 for multiple teams.

1987: All-American Honors, NBA Draft, All-Rookie Team

In 1987, Kenny Smith earned consensus first-team All-American honors, was drafted by Sacramento in the first round of the NBA draft, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

1987: Consensus All-American

In 1987, as a senior, 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 Ranking

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: Traded to 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.

1990: Traded to the Atlanta Hawks

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

1991: Assisted the Rockets to a 52-30 Record

In 1991, Kenny Smith averaged 17.7 points per game and helped the Rockets to a 52-30 record.

1992: Start of Championship Contention

From the 1992–93 season, Kenny Smith played with the Houston Rockets, establishing the foundation for a championship contender.

1992: Playoff Loss

In 1992, the Houston Rockets went 55-27, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics in the second round of the playoffs.

1992: Top Ten in Three-Point Percentage

In 1992–93, Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in three-point percentage.

1993: Top Ten in Three-Point and Free Throw Percentage

In 1993–94, Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in three-point percentage and free throw percentage.

1993: NBA Championship

In 1993–94, Kenny Smith won an NBA championship with the Houston Rockets.

1994: NBA Championship

In 1994-95, Kenny Smith won back-to-back NBA championships with the Houston Rockets.

1994: Top Ten in Three-Point Percentage

In 1994–95, Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in three-point percentage.

1994: Hypothetical NBA Finals Matchup

In 2017, Kenny Smith said that in a hypothetical 1994 NBA Finals match between the Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls, the Rockets would have won.

1995: NBA Finals Game 1 Record

In 1995, during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, Kenny Smith scored 23 points, had 9 assists and made seven three-pointers, leading to a Rockets victory and setting an NBA record at the time for three-pointers in the first game of the NBA finals.

1995: Continued as Rockets' Starting Point Guard

In the 1995-96 season, Kenny Smith continued to be the Rockets' starting point guard.

September 17, 1996: Signed with Detroit Pistons

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

December 18, 1996: Signed 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 Ends

In 1997, Kenny Smith concluded his NBA playing career.

1997: Signed with Denver Nuggets and Retirement

In 1997, Kenny Smith signed with the Denver Nuggets, his third team of the season, before retiring shortly after attending training camp with the New Jersey Nets.

1998: Joined Turner Sports

In early 1998, Kenny Smith joined Turner Sports as a studio analyst.

2001: Commentary for Goodwill Games

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

2004: Meeting Gwendolyn Osborne

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

2005: Commentary for MSG Network

From 2005, 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: End of Commentary for MSG Network

In 2008, Kenny Smith stopped providing 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 Ranking

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

2016: School Ranking

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 the University of North Carolina.

2016: Denver Nuggets Franchise Record

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

2017: Scoop B Radio Podcast

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