Kenneth J. "Speedy" Smith Junior. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles D.-Fenders of the National Basketball Association Development League.
Background
Smith was born and raised in Saint St. Petersburg, Florida and attended Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport. He was given the nickname, Speedy, after his grandmother said, "That"s Speedy" when he was born. Smith grew up as an athletics star and started out with football.
Smith primarily played the quarterback position, his father saying, "I actually thought football was his better sport.
Education
He knew how to prepare his players and get them in the right position on the field" However, Smith later chose to start playing basketball because he felt that it would lower his chance of getting injured.
Career
He was named Conference United States of America Men"s Basketball Player of the Year in 2015. He was a leader all the way through. As a senior playing basketball for Boca Ciega, Smith averaged 18 points, 9.6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
Smith played four years of college basketball for Louisiana Technology
In 140 games, he averaged 6.2 points, 6.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, earning C-United States of America Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior and C-United States of America Player of the Year honors as a senior. As a senior in 2014-2015, he tallied 7.4 assists (5th in the National Collegiate Athletic Association), 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.9 steals, as he finished his career with 118 career starts (tied for the third most in program history) and finished as the school"s career leader in total assists (858) and steals (258).
In June 2015, Smith had pre-draft workouts with the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. However, he went through the workouts at less than 100 percent as he nursed an ankle injury suffered earlier that year.
He had hopes of being a late second-round pick, but ultimately went undrafted in the 2015 National Basketball Association draft.
On August 11, 2015, Smith signed a two-year deal with VEF Rīga of the Latvian Basketball League. However, on November 24, he was released by Rīga after appearing in three league games and eight VTB United League games. On January 6, 2016, Smith was acquired by the Los Angeles Doctorate-Fenders of the National Basketball Association Development League.
He made his debut on January 9 in a 118–113 loss to the Canton Charge, recording three points, two rebounds and six assists in 13 minutes of action.
Views
Quotations:
"looked up to his older brother.".