Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s detailed information about Kenny Smith:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kenneth Smith
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born March 8, 1965
  • Hometown: Queens, New York
  • Height: 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
  • Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 12 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 30, 11 during his NBA career
  • Position: Point guard
  • High School: Archbishop Molloy High School (Queens, New York)
  • College: University of North Carolina (North Carolina Tar Heels) (1983–1987)
  • NBA Draft: 1987, Round 1, Pick 6 by the Sacramento Kings
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Sacramento Kings (1987–1991)
    2. Atlanta Hawks (1991–1993)
    3. Houston Rockets (1993–1996)
    4. Orlando Magic (1997)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 2 NBA Championships (1994, 1995 with the Houston Rockets)
  • Kids:
    Kenny Smith has two children:

    1. Kenneth Smith Jr. (son)
    2. Kayla Smith (daughter)
  • Siblings: Kenny Smith has a brother, Vincent Smith, but details about other siblings are generally private.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Kenny Smith’s player archetype was that of a speed-based table-setting point guard, a quick lead ball-handler who thrived by pushing tempo, organizing offense, and keeping defenses honest with timely perimeter shooting. At 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds, he was lean rather than overpowering, so his defensive role was better suited to checking guards at the point of attack with foot speed and effort instead of size or physical disruption. Offensively, Smith functioned as a primary initiator who could run a team, create in transition, deliver assists, and space the floor when stars around him drew extra attention, which made him a natural fit in Houston’s guard-heavy attack. His physical profile was built more on straight-line burst, agility, and quick decision-making than strength, and his play style blended pace, control, and opportunistic scoring rather than high-volume isolation, giving his teams a steady backcourt organizer with enough shooting touch to complement larger offensive focal points. (Basketball Reference)

Fun Facts

  • Kenny Smith is best known for his two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets (1994 and 1995).
  • He played as a point guard, and was known for his quickness, basketball IQ, and ability to facilitate the offense.
  • Smith’s career in the NBA began with the Sacramento Kings, but he found the most success during his time with the Houston Rockets, where he was a key contributor alongside Hakeem Olajuwon.
  • After retiring from playing, Kenny Smith became a prominent television analyst, notably working as a co-host on Inside the NBA on TNT, alongside Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Ernie Johnson.
  • His post-playing career has been highly successful in broadcasting, and he is considered one of the most well-known and respected analysts in sports television.
  • Smith was part of a very successful North Carolina Tar Heels team during his college years, helping lead the team to an NCAA championship in 1982, even though he wasn’t the star player on that roster (with Michael Jordan and James Worthy).
  • Smith’s smooth playmaking and leadership were key to his teams’ success, both as a player and a broadcaster.

Sources:

NBA.com — Kenny Smith | Guard | Houston Rockets
Basketball-Reference — Kenny Smith Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Sports Reference CBB — Kenny Smith College Stats