Last Updated on July 27, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

When defenses backed off Steve Smith, the American shooting guard had the size to rise into a jumper; when they crowded him, he was just as comfortable putting the ball on the floor and creating the next advantage during his accomplished NBA career. His game always carried a smooth tempo, blending patient shot creation, smart passing reads, and timely scoring bursts without ever looking rushed.

Here are the details for Steve Smith:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Steven Delano Smith
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born March 31, 1969
  • Hometown: Detroit, Michigan, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters)
  • Weight: 221 pounds (100 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 9 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: Wore 8, 3, and 14 during his NBA career
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: Pershing High School in Detroit, Michigan
  • College: Michigan State University (1987–1991)
  • NBA Draft: 1991 NBA Draft, 5th overall pick by the Miami Heat
  • Teams Played For:
  • Championship Rings: 1 (2003 with the San Antonio Spurs)
  • Kids: Steve Smith has two sons, Brayden and Davis Smith
  • Siblings: Steve Smith had a brother, who tragically passed away at a young age due to cancer

Player Archetype / Play Style

Steve Smith’s player archetype was that of a smooth scoring wing who could function as both a primary shot-maker and a secondary creator. At 6-foot-8 and 221 pounds, he had excellent size for a guard-forward, which let him shoot over smaller defenders, work comfortably on the perimeter or in the mid-range, and slide between wing assignments defensively. Offensively, his role was built around polished scoring, floor spacing and playmaking from the wing rather than full-time table-setting, while defensively he was more of a solid positional team defender than a pure stopper. His play style blended pace, skill and shot-making touch, giving him the profile of a versatile offensive weapon who could score in rhythm, handle the ball when needed and fit cleanly next to other stars. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Steve Smith’s game always looked unhurried, almost casual at times, but that tempo was one of his biggest weapons. He understood how to play at his own pace, using long strides, ball fakes and a strong handle to keep defenders off balance rather than simply trying to beat them with speed. The interesting thing is how often he created separation after the initial move instead of on it. He’d come off a ball screen, pause just enough to freeze the help defender, then rise into a high-release pull-up or glide into the lane once the big committed. His size also made him an effective post option against smaller guards, where he patiently backed defenders down before turning over either shoulder or forcing a second defender to open an easy kick-out. He wasn’t a flashy passer, but he consistently delivered the ball on time because he recognised where the defence had already been compromised. Defensively, Smith used his length well on the perimeter, staying between the ball and the basket while contesting jumpers without overcommitting, though quicker guards with explosive first steps could occasionally force him into recovery situations where his footspeed became less of an advantage. The trade-off was that his relaxed rhythm could sometimes drift into passivity. There were stretches when he blended into the offence instead of imposing himself, even though he had the skill set to shoulder a much heavier scoring burden. To me, Smith was at his best as a secondary creator alongside an aggressive lead guard, someone who could initiate the first advantage while Smith punished scrambling defences with smart drives, post mismatches and timely perimeter shooting. Put reliable spacing around him and his decision-making becomes even more valuable because he rarely forced difficult attempts when cleaner options developed. His game shared elements of Joe Johnson’s deliberate half-court scoring and Allan Houston’s polished shot-making, although Smith leaned more toward playmaking than either, using patience and positional strength to dictate possessions instead of relying on pure shot volume.

Fun Facts

  • After retiring from the NBA, he became a respected basketball analyst and philanthropist, supporting numerous causes, including education and cancer research.

Sources:

NBA.com — Steven Smith
NBA.com — HEAT Re-acquire Steve Smith
Basketball-Reference — 1997-98 Atlanta Hawks Roster and Stats