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. Smith played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and other leagues like the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He also played basketball in countries like Puerto Rico and Argentina.
Smith grew up in a foster home in Illinois from a young age. He was a ward of the state.
Contents
Early Life and High School Basketball
Leon Smith attended Martin Luther King High School in Chicago. During his final year of high school, he was an amazing player. He averaged 25.5 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. These impressive stats showed he was a top talent.
NBA Draft and Early Career Challenges
In the 1999 NBA draft, the San Antonio Spurs picked Smith in the first round. He was the 29th player chosen overall. Right after being drafted, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. This trade was for another player, Gordan Giriček, and a future draft pick.
However, Smith faced some personal challenges in the months after the draft. Because of these challenges, the Mavericks released him in February 2000. He never played a game for the team.
Playing in the CBA
After his time with the Mavericks, Smith played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). This league was a stepping stone for many players.
2001–2002 CBA Season
During the 2001–02 season, Smith played for two CBA teams. He played for the Gary Steelheads and the Sioux Falls Skyforce. His strong performance earned him a spot on the CBA All-League Second Team. This showed he was one of the best players in the league.
Joining the Atlanta Hawks
In January 2002, the Atlanta Hawks signed Leon Smith. He played 14 games for them in the NBA. His time with the Hawks was brief. He was released, then signed again, and later traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he did not play any games for the Bucks.
2003–2004 CBA Season
Smith returned to the CBA for the 2003–04 season. He played for the Great Lakes Storm. He was recognized for his defensive skills that season. He was selected to the CBA All-Defensive Team. This award showed he was a great defender.
Brief Stint with the Seattle SuperSonics
Late in the 2003–04 NBA season, the Seattle SuperSonics signed Smith to a contract. He played one game for the SuperSonics. This was his second time playing in the NBA.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Leon Smith had several notable achievements during his basketball career.
- He was named to the All-CBA Second Team in 2002.
- He was part of the CBA All-Defensive Team in 2004.
- In 2004, he led the CBA in rebounding. This means he grabbed more rebounds than any other player.
- He also led the CBA in blocks in 2004. This shows he was excellent at blocking shots.
- In high school, he was a Third-team Parade All-American in 1999.
See also
In Spanish: Leon Smith para niños
