Russ Smith (basketball) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Russ Smith

Smith in 2013
No. 2 – Tabiat Eslamshahr
Point guard
Personal information
Born	(1991-04-19) April 19, 1991 (age 34) New York City, New York, U.S.
High school	Archbishop Molloy (Queens, New York) South Kent School (South Kent, Connecticut)
Listed height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight	166 lb (75 kg)
Career information
College	Louisville (2010–2014)
NBA Draft	2014 / Round: 2 / Pick: 47th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career	2014–present
League	Iranian Basketball Super League
Career history
2014–2015	New Orleans Pelicans
2014–2015	→Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2015	Memphis Grizzlies
2015	→Iowa Energy
2016	Delaware 87ers
2016	Galatasaray Odeabank
2017	Delaware 87ers
2017	Luoyang Zhonghe
2017–2018	Fujian Sturgeons
2019	Guizhou White Tigers
2020	Cariduros de Fajardo
2021	Sichuan Blue Whales
2021–2022	Fort Wayne Mad Ants
2022	Hapoel Be'er Sheva
2022–2024	Pallacanestro Nardò
2024–present	Tabiat Eslamshahr
Career highlights and awards
NBL (China) Player of the Year (2017) NBL (China) Guard of the Year (2017) NBL (China) Import of the Year (2017) 2× NBL (China) scoring champion (2017, 2019) NCAA champion (2013)* Consensus First-team All-American (2014) Third-team All-American - SN, NABC (2013) First-team All-AAC (2014) First-team All-Big East (2013) Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (2014) AAC tournament MVP (2014) No. 2 retired by Louisville Cardinals *Later vacated

Russ Antoin Smith (born April 19, 1991) is an American professional basketball player. He currently plays for Tabiat Eslamshahr in the Iranian Basketball Super League. Russ is known for his exciting style of play.

He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals. As a junior, he helped them win the 2013 NCAA championship. He was also named a third-team All-American that year. In his senior year at Louisville, he became a first-team All-American. As of 2023, his 65-point game is still the record for most points scored in a single NBA G League game.

High School Basketball Journey

Russ Smith was born in New York City. He played basketball at Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York. He was a top scorer in the New York City Catholic league. As a junior, he averaged 24.5 points per game. In his senior year, he averaged 29.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists.

He scored a career-high 47 points twice during his senior year. Russ was named to the New York State all-state team. He also played in the 2009 Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game. There, he scored 27 points and was named co-MVP. After high school, he played a year of prep school basketball at South Kent School.

College Basketball Career

Joining Louisville

At first, the Louisville team didn't notice Russ Smith much. But during a recruiting trip, assistant coaches saw him play. They thought he would be a perfect fit for their team. Russ liked Louisville so much that he wanted to commit even before he got a scholarship offer!

Freshman Year Challenges

Russ chose jersey number 2 when he joined Louisville. His first year was tough because of many injuries. He had a broken foot, a concussion, and a sore knee. These injuries meant he only played in 17 games. Russ felt so bad that he almost left Louisville.

But during a game against West Virginia, his coach told him to play hard. Russ played well for nine minutes, helping his team win. This game made him decide to stay. The Cardinals reached the championship game of the 2011 Big East men's basketball tournament but lost. They made it to the 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament but were upset in the second round.

Sophomore Year: "Russdiculous"

In his second year, Russ became a key player coming off the bench. He was the team's second-highest scorer, even though he played fewer minutes. In January 2012, his coach, Rick Pitino, gave him the nickname "Russdiculous." This nickname stuck!

Russ set a school record with 87 steals in one season. Louisville won the 2012 Big East men's basketball tournament. They also reached the Final Four of the 2012 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Russ scored 19 points in the regional final game against Florida. Louisville finished the season with a great 30–10 record.

Junior Year: NCAA Champions

Smith (left) and Peyton Siva (right) with the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament trophy.

Before the 2012–13 season, Louisville was picked to win the Big East Conference. They finished the regular season tied for first place. Russ learned that his high school coach, Jack Curran, had passed away before the 2013 Big East men's basketball tournament. Russ scored 28 points in their first tournament game. He said, "Today was definitely Coach Curran Day for me." Louisville went on to win the Big East tournament championship.

Louisville was chosen as the top team for the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Russ played amazingly, scoring 23 and 27 points in his first two games. Fans even started chanting "RussArena" because of his great play! He scored a career-high 31 points in the Sweet Sixteen.

In the game against Duke, his teammate Kevin Ware suffered a serious leg injury. Ware told his team to "Just go win this game for me." Louisville played with extra motivation and won the game. Russ scored 23 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Midwest Region. Louisville then won the national championship against Michigan. However, this championship was later vacated.

Senior Year and Honors

On April 24, 2013, Russ announced he would stay at Louisville for his senior year. He wanted to improve his chances for the NBA draft. He was named one of the top 10 players for the Naismith College Player of the Year award.

Louisville finished the season with a 31–6 record. Russ ended his college career scoring 23 points in the Sweet Sixteen, losing to Kentucky. He was selected for the Associated Press First Team All-American list. On January 22, 2022, Louisville honored him by retiring his No. 2 jersey.

College Awards and Achievements

• 2013 NCAA Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player
• 2013 Big East All-Tournament Team
• 2013 Big East All-Conference First Team
• 2013 Lute Olson All-America Team
• 2013 Sporting News All-American Third Team
• 2013 NABC All-America Third Team
• 2013 College Sports Madness All-America First Team
• 2014 John Wooden Award All-American team

Professional Basketball Career

New Orleans Pelicans (2014–2015)

On June 26, 2014, Russ Smith was picked by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA draft. He was the 47th overall pick. The next day, his rights were traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. Russ was frustrated that some experts questioned his ability to play point guard. During his time with the Pelicans, he also played for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA Development League.

Memphis Grizzlies (2015)

In January 2015, Russ was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He also spent time playing for the Iowa Energy in the D-League. Russ made his NBA playoff debut on May 3, 2015. He was later waived by the Grizzlies in December 2015.

Delaware 87ers (2016)

In January 2016, Russ joined the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League. In his first game, he scored 37 points! He was named NBA D-League Performer of the Week. On March 18, he achieved his first triple-double (20 points, 13 rebounds, 16 assists).

On March 23, Russ set a D-League scoring record with an amazing 65 points in one game! As of 2022, this record still stands. He also set a record for scoring 105 points in two games in a row.

Playing Overseas (2016–Present)

After his time in the D-League, Russ played for teams in other countries.

• In July 2016, he signed with Galatasaray Odeabank in Turkey.
• In January 2017, he briefly returned to the Delaware 87ers.
• In June 2017, he signed with Luoyang Zhonghe in China. He scored 62 points in his first game there. On July 5, 2017, he scored a career-high 81 points!
• He then played for the Fujian Sturgeons in China.
• He returned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League in 2021.
• In September 2022, he signed with Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Israel.
• Since November 2024, he has been playing for Tabiat Eslamshahr in Iran.

The Basketball Tournament

Russ Smith has also played in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). This is a special tournament where college alumni teams compete. He joined "The Ville" team, made up of other Louisville basketball players. He led his team in scoring in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Career Statistics

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

Images for kids

• 

  Smith in 2013

• 

  Smith (left) and Peyton Siva (right) with the 2013 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament trophy.

See also

In Spanish: Russ Smith para niños