History of Nolan Smith in Timeline

Nolan Smith is a former American professional basketball player and current head coach for Tennessee State. He played college basketball at Duke University, where he won a national championship in 2010. As a senior, he was named a consensus first-team All-American and the ACC Player of the Year. Smith was drafted 21st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2011 NBA draft.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1980: Father's Championship

In 1980, Nolan Smith's father was a member of the NCAA championship team.

July 25, 1988: Nolan Smith's Birth

On July 25, 1988, Nolan Derek Smith was born. He would later become a professional basketball player, playing for the Duke Blue Devils and being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Father's Assistant Coach Position

In 1994, Nolan Smith began frequently attending Washington Bullets practices after his father, Derek Smith, took an assistant coach position.

1996: Father's Death

Following the death of his father in 1996, the Bullets made Nolan Smith a frequent guest at their home games.

2000: Euroleague

Nolan Smith hitting a buzzer beater three-pointer secured his team a spot in the 2014–15 Euroleague, and leaving a Serbian legendary club Partizan out of the Euroleague for the first time since ULEB takeover of the competition in 2000.

2001: Duke History

In 2001–02, Jay Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy Jr. first accomplished that feat for Duke.

2003: Freshman Season at St. John's College High School

In 2003, as an eighth grader, Nolan Smith played varsity basketball for The Key School before moving to St. John's College High School for his freshman season.

2004: Sophomore Season at Riverdale Baptist School

In 2004, Nolan Smith attended Riverdale Baptist School and led the team to a 33-1 record, earning All-Metro honors.

2005: Junior Year at Oak Hill Academy

In 2005, during his junior year at Oak Hill Academy, Nolan Smith averaged 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals per game.

November 13, 2006: Signed National Letter of Intent

On November 13, 2006, Nolan Smith signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for Duke University.

2006: Senior Year at Oak Hill Academy

In 2006, Nolan Smith's senior year at Oak Hill Academy, he averaged 22.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.2 steals per game.

2007: Freshman Year at Duke

In 2007, Nolan Smith began his freshman year at Duke, playing in all 34 games.

2007: All-American Honors and Rankings

In 2007, Nolan Smith earned first-team EA Sports and Parade All-American honors, contributing to Oak Hill earning the top spot in the USA Today Super 25 national rankings.

2007: Recruitment Ranking

In 2007, Nolan Smith was considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, and was ranked as the No. 8 shooting guard and the No. 39 player in the nation.

January 6, 2008: First Collegiate Start

On January 6, 2008, Nolan Smith earned his first collegiate start against Cornell, scoring nine points.

November 21, 2008: Season-High Points Against Michigan

On November 21, 2008, Nolan Smith scored a season-high 16 points, along with five rebounds and four assists, against Michigan.

2009: Junior Year at Duke

In 2009, as a junior at Duke, Nolan Smith averaged 17.4 points per game and earned second-team All-ACC honors.

March 28, 2010: Elite Eight Victory and Career High Points

On March 28, 2010, Nolan Smith scored a then career-high 29 points in an Elite Eight game, helping Duke defeat Baylor and advance to the Final Four.

2010: Team Captain at Duke

In 2010, Nolan Smith served as team captain along with Kyle Singler, averaging over 20 points per game.

2010: National Champion

In 2010, Nolan Smith was a junior starting shooting guard for Duke's national champion team.

2010: Senior Year Success at Duke

In 2010, during his senior year at Duke, Nolan Smith averaged 20.6 points per game and was named the ACC Player of the Year.

February 9, 2011: Career High Points in Win over North Carolina

On February 9, 2011, Nolan Smith scored a career high 34 points in a home win over North Carolina, making a career-high 13 field goal attempts.

December 9, 2011: Signed Rookie Contract with Trail Blazers

On December 9, 2011, Nolan Smith signed his rookie scale contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.

2011: NBA Draft

In 2011, Nolan Smith was drafted 21st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers.

July 2012: NBA Summer League Injury

In July 2012, Nolan Smith was ruled out of the NBA Summer League after receiving an elbow to the head, but was later released from the hospital after tests came back normal.

January 6, 2013: Assignment to the Idaho Stampede

On January 6, 2013, Nolan Smith was assigned to the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League before being recalled by the Trail Blazers.

July 2013: NBA Summer League with the Boston Celtics

In July 2013, Nolan Smith participated in the NBA Summer League with the Boston Celtics, playing in only one game.

August 18, 2013: Signs with Cedevita Zagreb

On August 18, 2013, Nolan Smith signed a one-year deal with Cedevita Zagreb of the Croatian League.

July 2014: NBA Summer League with Oklahoma City Thunder

In July 2014, Nolan Smith participated in the NBA Summer League with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

August 29, 2014: Signs with Galatasaray Liv Hospital

On August 29, 2014, Nolan Smith signed a one-year deal with Galatasaray Liv Hospital of the Turkish Basketball League.

October 19, 2014: Incident and Expulsion from Arena

On October 19, 2014, Nolan Smith was expelled from the arena by head coach Ergin Ataman after throwing a towel during a Turkish League game against Banvit.

October 27, 2014: Parted Ways with Galatasaray

On October 27, 2014, Nolan Smith parted ways with Galatasaray.

November 26, 2014: Acquired by the Delaware 87ers

On November 26, 2014, Nolan Smith was acquired by the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League.

2014: Euroleague

In 2014, Nolan Smith hitting a buzzer beater three-pointer secured his team a spot in the 2014–15 Euroleague, and leaving a Serbian legendary club Partizan out of the Euroleague for the first time after 14 years, and the first time since ULEB takeover of the competition in 2000.