Sekou Smith: NBA reporter and analyst dies of Covid-19

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Smith worked for NBA TV and wrote for NBA.com since 2009.

“We are all heartbroken over Sekou’s tragic death,” Turner Sports, who broadcasts and runs the NBA TV ad NBA.com, in a statement. “His dedication to journalism and the basketball community has been immense and we will miss his warm, engaging personality.”

Smith spent more than 20 years in the NBA, including 11 years with Turner Sports, which, like CNN, is owned by WarnerMedia.

“The NBA mourns the death of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family. Sekou was one of the most sympathetic and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a wonderful friend to many in the league,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. in a statement.

“Sekou’s love for basketball was evident to everyone who knew him and it was always reflected in his work. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife, Heather, and their children, Gabriel, Rielly and Cameron,” said Silver.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Smith began his career in journalism as a sports reporter at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1994. He then spent four years each with The Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before joining Turner Sports.

Beloved in the basketball community, Smith’s death – on the anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s death just a year ago – received numerous tributes from players and coaches alike.

Stan Van Gundy, head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, had known Smith since his time at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He called him a “great man” in one message posted on Twitter.

“While I’ve known him since he joined the AJC, but was lucky enough to work with him on NBA TV,” wrote Van Gundy. “I got to know him well enough to know 3 things – I was lucky enough to spend time with him, I wanted to get to know him better and he was a good man.”

Dwyane Wade, the retired Miami Heat legend, echoed those sentiments.

“I’ve never had anything but positive interactions and conversations with Sekou Smith,” he said. Our prayers go out to the Smith family. We lost a good one. Rest in heaven. ‘

And in Smith’s adopted hometown, Atlanta, the Hawks shared a few words about his passing, as Smith covered the team for five years.

The organization of The Hawks is heartbroken over the passing of Sekou Smith. The Beatwriter of The Hawks for the AJC from 05-09, Sekou provided our fans with honest and honest reporting, sharing incredible insights into the team as he established himself as a of the NCAs’ top personalities, “the team said.

Lloyd Pierce, head coach of the Hawks, said in a post-game interview on Tuesday that it had been a rough day, with both Bryant’s birthday and the news about Smith, calling him “about as sincere as there is in the industry.”

Smith leaves behind his wife Heather and their three children Gabriel, Reilly and Cameron.

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