Leon Smith (basketball) facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 2, 1980 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| High school | Martin Luther King (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA Draft | 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29th overall |
| Selected by the San Antonio Spurs | |
| Pro career | 2000–2007 |
| Career history | |
| 2000–2001 | St. Louis Swarm |
| 2001–2002 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2002 | Gary Steelheads |
| 2002 | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2002–2003 | Gary Steelheads |
| 2003 | Caguas Creoles |
| 2003 | Texas Rim Rockers |
| 2003–2004 | Gary Steelheads |
| 2004 | Great Lakes Storm |
| 2004 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 2007 | Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Leon Smith (born November 2, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player. He played as a center. Leon played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and other leagues. These included the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the USBL. He also played basketball in countries like Puerto Rico and Argentina.
Leon Smith was raised in a foster home from a young age. This was in Chicago, Illinois. He later became a talented high school basketball player.
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High School Basketball Star
Leon Smith attended Martin Luther King High School in Chicago. During his senior year, he was an amazing player. He averaged 25.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. This means he scored a lot of points and grabbed many rebounds. His skills made him a top prospect for professional basketball.
NBA Draft and Early Challenges
In the 1999 NBA draft, Leon Smith was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs. He was the 29th player picked overall in the first round. Right after the draft, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. This trade involved another player, Gordan Giriček, and a future draft pick.
However, Leon faced some personal difficulties during this time. Because of these challenges, he was released by the Mavericks in February 2000. He never got to play a game for them.
Playing in the CBA
After his time with the Mavericks, Leon Smith played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). This is another professional basketball league.
CBA Achievements
- 2001–02 Season: Leon played for the Gary Steelheads and Sioux Falls Skyforce. He performed very well. His strong play earned him a spot on the CBA All-League Second Team.
- 2003–04 Season: He later played for the Great Lakes Storm in the CBA. During this season, he was recognized for his defense. He was selected to the CBA All-Defensive Team. He also led the league in rebounds and blocks that year.
Brief NBA Returns
Leon Smith had a couple of short chances to play in the NBA again.
Atlanta Hawks Stint
In January 2002, the Atlanta Hawks signed Leon Smith. He played 14 games for them. During this period, he was waived (released) and then signed back by the Hawks. Later, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, but he did not play any games for them.
Seattle SuperSonics Appearance
Late in the 2003–04 NBA season, the Seattle SuperSonics signed Leon Smith. However, he only played one game for the team.
Leon Smith's career showed his talent and his journey through different basketball leagues.
See also
In Spanish: Leon Smith para niños
