History of Kenny Smith in Timeline

Kenny "The Jet" Smith is a former NBA player and current sports commentator. He played 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 back-to-back NBA championships. After his playing career, he transitioned into broadcasting and is now a well-known NBA analyst.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

March 8, 1965: Kenny Smith's Birth

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

1983: Start of College Career

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

1983: McDonald's All-American

In 1983, Kenny Smith was named a McDonald's All-American during his time at Archbishop Molloy High School.

1984: ACC Championship

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

1984: NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 1984, Kenny Smith and the North Carolina Tar Heels lost to Indiana in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

1985: Elite Eight Appearance

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

1986: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 1986, Kenny Smith helped North Carolina reach the Sweet Sixteen.

1986: FIBA World Championship Gold Medal

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

November 6, 1987: NBA Debut

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

1987: ACC Championship

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

1987: NBA Career Begins

In 1987, Kenny Smith began his NBA career, playing for the Sacramento Kings. He would later play for multiple teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets.

1987: NBA Draft and All-Rookie Selection

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

1987: Consensus All-American Honors

In 1987, Kenny Smith was named a Consensus All-American (1st Team) as a senior at North Carolina.

1988: Top League Finishes

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 was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Lucas and Tim McCormick.

1990: Trade to Houston Rockets

After the 1989-90 season, Kenny Smith was traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Lucas and Tim McCormick.

1991: Led Rockets in Assists

In the 1990-91 season, Kenny Smith led the Houston Rockets in assists per game and free throw percentage.

1992: Rockets Coaching Change

During the 1991-92 season, Don Chaney was fired as coach of the Rockets and replaced by Rudy Tomjanovich.

1992: Continued Starting Role

From the 1992-93 seasons, Kenny Smith averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, with a three-point percentage of .425 for the Rockets.

1992: Top 10 in Three-Point Percentage

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

1993: Continued Starting Role

From the 1992-93 seasons, Kenny Smith averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, with a three-point percentage of .425 for the Rockets.

1993: Top 10 in Free Throw Percentage

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

1994: Continued Starting Role

From the 1993-94 seasons, Kenny Smith averaged 11.7 points and 4.5 assists per game, with a three-point percentage of .425 for the Rockets.

1994: Top 10 in Free Throw Percentage

In 1994, Kenny Smith finished in the NBA top ten in free throw percentage and three-point percentage.

1994: Hypothetical Matchup Claim

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

1995: Record-Setting Performance in NBA Finals

In the first game of the 1995 NBA Finals, Kenny Smith scored 23 points, had 9 assists, and made a record-setting seven three-pointers, helping the Rockets win.

1995: Continued Role with Rockets

Through the 1995-96 season, Kenny Smith continued to be the Rockets' starting point guard, though his stats declined.

September 17, 1996: Signed with Detroit Pistons

On September 17, 1996, Kenny Smith signed with the Detroit Pistons, but was later waived after only nine games.

December 18, 1996: Signed with Orlando Magic

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

1997: End of NBA Playing Career

In 1997, Kenny Smith concluded his professional basketball playing career in the NBA after playing for multiple teams.

1997: Signed with Denver Nuggets

In 1997, Kenny Smith signed with the Denver Nuggets, his third team that season, before retiring shortly after.

1998: Joins Turner Sports as Analyst

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

2001: Goodwill Games Coverage

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

2004: Met Gwendolyn Osborne

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

2005: Knicks Broadcasts Commentary

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

September 8, 2006: Marriage to Gwendolyn Osborne

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

2008: Knicks Broadcasts Commentary

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

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 Stats Ranking

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

2016: Nuggets Franchise Record

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

2017: Podcast Appearance

While on the Scoop B Radio Podcast in 2017, Kenny Smith stated 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

From 2018, Kenny Smith's son, K. J., played basketball for the University of North Carolina.

2018: Divorce Filing

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

August 26, 2020: Boycott Solidarity on Inside the NBA

On August 26, 2020, Kenny Smith left the set of Inside the NBA in solidarity with the teams boycotting games in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake.