History of Kenny Smith in Timeline

Kenny Smith, nicknamed "the Jet," is an American sports commentator and former NBA player. He played from 1987 to 1997 for multiple teams, including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets. Smith achieved significant success with the Houston Rockets, winning two consecutive NBA championships. After his playing career, he transitioned to sports commentary.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 8, 1965: Kenneth Smith Born

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

1983: Start of College Career

From 1983-1984 season, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina to a record of 115-22 from the 1983–84 to 1986–87 seasons, including two Elite Eight appearances (1985 and 1987) and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1986.

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 Regular Season Championship

In 1984, Kenny Smith's North Carolina team won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championships.

1984: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1984, Kenny Smith's North Carolina team, ranked #1, lost to Indiana in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.0 assists per game.

1985: Elite Eight Appearance

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

1985: ACC Regular Season Championship

In 1985, Kenny Smith's North Carolina team tied for first in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championships.

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, winning the Gold Medal over the Soviet Union. He scored 23 points in the final game.

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 in Sacramento's win.

1987: Graduation from UNC

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

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

In 1987, Kenny Smith received consensus first-team All-American honors as a senior, was drafted by Sacramento in the first round of the NBA draft with the sixth overall pick, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team with the Kings.

1987: NBA Career Begins

In 1987, Kenny Smith started his NBA career, playing for the Sacramento Kings.

1987: Consensus All-American

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

1987: ACC Regular Season Championship

In 1987, Kenny Smith's North Carolina team won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) regular season conference championships.

1988: High Minutes Played

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 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: Trade to Houston Rockets

In 1990, 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: Rockets Best Regular Season Record

In 1991 Kenny Smith helped the Rockets achieve their best regular season record (52–30) at the time. He also received votes for NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

1992: Start of Championship Era

From the 1992–93 season, Kenny Smith averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, with a three-point percentage of .425. The Houston Rockets would win back-to-back championships in the following years with Smith as the starting point guard.

1992: Coaching Change

In 1992, the Houston Rockets started the season 26–26, leading to Don Chaney being fired as coach and replaced by former Rocket player Rudy Tomjanovich.

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 Percentage

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

1993: NBA Championship

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

1994: Top Ten in Three-Point Percentage

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

1994: Podcast Claims

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 Championship

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

1995: NBA Finals Record

During the 1995 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, Kenny Smith made seven three-pointers, including the game-tying shot which sent the game into overtime in game one. The Rockets won the game 120–118, and went on to sweep the Magic in four games.

1995: Continued Productivity Despite Declining Stats

During the 1995-96 season, Kenny Smith continued to be the Rockets' starting point guard despite his points, assists, steals and minutes per game declining. He was still productive in 1995–96, averaging 8.5 points and 3.6 assists per game.

September 17, 1996: Signs with Detroit Pistons

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

December 18, 1996: Signs with Orlando Magic

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

1997: NBA Career Ends

In 1997, Kenny Smith ended his NBA career, after playing for multiple teams including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets.

1997: Signs with Denver Nuggets and Retirement

In 1997, Kenny Smith signed with his third team in that season, the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 7.9 points and 3.1 assists, serving as a mentor. He then attended training camp with the New Jersey Nets but did not make the final roster and retired shortly after.

1998: Joins Turner Sports

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

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2001: Goodwill Games Coverage

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: Knicks Broadcasts

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: Knicks Broadcasts

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: Career Three-Point Percentage

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

2016: Denver Nuggets Franchise Record

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

2017: Podcast Appearance

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: Divorce Filing

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

2018: Son Plays for UNC

In 2018, Kenny Smith's son, K.J., began playing basketball for the University of North Carolina, his father's alma mater.

August 26, 2020: Solidarity Boycott

On August 26, 2020, Kenny Smith left the set of Inside the NBA in solidarity with the teams boycotting games after the shooting of Jacob Blake. The broadcast became a panel discussion on racial injustice.

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