History of Marcus Smart in Timeline

Marcus Smart is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Washington Wizards in the NBA. Known for his tenacious defense, versatility, and playmaking abilities, he played college basketball at Oklahoma State University before being drafted into the NBA. Smart is recognized as a defensive leader and a valuable contributor on both ends of the court.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

March 6, 1994: Marcus Smart Born

On March 6, 1994, Marcus Osmond Smart was born, later becoming a professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the NBA.

Others born on this day/year

1996: Last Guard to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 1996, Gary Payton was the last guard before Smart to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

2010: Last NBA Finals Appearance

2010 marked the Celtics' previous NBA Finals appearance, before Smart advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in 2022.

2012: FIBA Americas U18 Championships Record

In 2012, Marcus Smart set a new Team USA U18 record for steals over a five-game period, grabbing 18 during the FIBA Americas U18 Championships in Brazil.

2012: High Ranking by ESPN

In 2012, Marcus Smart was ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard and the No. 10 player in the nation by ESPN.com.

April 17, 2013: Announcement to Return to OSU

On April 17, 2013, Marcus Smart announced that he would return to Oklahoma State University (OSU) for his sophomore season, forgoing the NBA draft.

November 19, 2013: Tied OSU Single Game Scoring Record

On November 19, 2013, Marcus Smart tied an Oklahoma State University (OSU) single game scoring record with 39 points against Memphis.

February 8, 2014: Shoved a Fan and Received Suspension

On February 8, 2014, during a game at Texas Tech, Marcus Smart shoved a fan after a verbal altercation and received a technical foul, leading to a three-game suspension.

April 7, 2014: Declared for the NBA Draft

On April 7, 2014, Marcus Smart declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.

June 26, 2014: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

On June 26, 2014, Marcus Smart was selected with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

2014: Record-Setting NCAA Tournament Performance

During the 2014 NCAA tournament, Marcus Smart became the first player in tournament history to record 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals in a game.

2014: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

In 2014, Marcus Smart was drafted with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.

March 18, 2015: Season-High Scoring Game

On March 18, 2015, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 25 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

July 16, 2015: Finger Dislocation

On July 16, 2015, Marcus Smart dislocated two fingers on his right hand while playing for the Celtics at the Las Vegas Summer League.

January 15, 2016: First Career Triple-Double

On January 15, 2016, Marcus Smart recorded his first career triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns.

November 9, 2016: Season-High 20 Points

On November 9, 2016, Marcus Smart scored a then season-high 20 points in a loss to the Washington Wizards.

January 7, 2017: Season-High 22 Points

On January 7, 2017, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 22 points in a victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

November 27, 2017: Season-High 23 Points

On November 27, 2017, Marcus Smart scored a season-high 23 points against the Detroit Pistons.

March 16, 2018: Ruled Out with Thumb Injury

On March 16, 2018, Marcus Smart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season due to a torn ligament in his right thumb.

June 29, 2018: Qualifying Offer from Celtics

On June 29, 2018, the Boston Celtics tendered a qualifying offer to Marcus Smart, making him a restricted free agent.

September 16, 2018: Mother's Death

On September 16, 2018, Marcus Smart's mother, Camellia Smart, passed away from myelodysplastic syndrome.

2018: Became a Regular Starter

In 2018, Marcus Smart began starting games regularly for the Boston Celtics.

January 18, 2020: Career-High Scoring Game and Celtics Record

On January 18, 2020, Marcus Smart scored a career-high 37 points and broke the Celtics record for three-pointers in a single game.

March 29, 2020: Cleared From COVID-19

On March 29, 2020, Marcus Smart was cleared from COVID-19.

April 28, 2021: Suspension for Threatening Language

On April 28, 2021, Marcus Smart was suspended for one game without pay for directing threatening language towards a game official.

August 16, 2021: Re-Signed by Celtics

On August 16, 2021, Marcus Smart re-signed with the Boston Celtics to a four-year contract extension.

October 14, 2021: Suspended for Missing Team Flight

On October 14, 2021, Marcus Smart was suspended for the team's final preseason game for missing a team flight to Florida.

2021: Named Celtics' Starting Point Guard

In 2021, Marcus Smart was named the starting point guard for the Boston Celtics.

February 2022: Longest-Tenured Member of Celtics

As of February 2022, Marcus Smart was the longest-tenured member of the Boston Celtics' team.

April 18, 2022: Named NBA Defensive Player of the Year

On April 18, 2022, Marcus Smart was named the 2021–22 NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

May 19, 2022: Playoff Career-High Assists

On May 19, 2022, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Marcus Smart recorded a playoff career-high 12 assists.

2022: NBA Finals and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2022, Marcus Smart helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the sixth guard in NBA history to win the award.

June 22, 2023: Traded to Memphis Grizzlies

On June 22, 2023, Marcus Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal.

October 25, 2023: Grizzlies Debut

On October 25, 2023, Marcus Smart made his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies, scoring 17 points.

2023: NBA Hustle Award Winner

In 2023, Marcus Smart won the NBA Hustle Award.

2023: 2023 NBA Playoffs Performance

In the 2023 NBA playoffs, Marcus Smart averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

2024: Career Best at All-Star Break

At the 2024 NBA All-Star break, Smart averaged a career best 14.4 points alongside 2.0 steals.

2024: Future First-Round Pick

In the trade deal that sent Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Grizzlies sent a top-four-protected 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors) to the Celtics.