Steve Smith
A sharpshooting All-Star who helped lead the Hawks and won a title with the Spurs.
Steven Delano Smith (born March 31, 1969) is an American former professional basketball player who is a basketball analyst for Turner Sports. After a collegiate career with Michigan State, he played with several teams in his 14-season National Basketball Association career, including the Miami Heat, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs, but is perhaps best known for his five-year stint with the Atlanta Hawks which included an All-Star Game appearance in 1998. He won a championship with the Spurs in 2003.
- Jersey Number
- 5
- Notable Achievement
- Key contributor during the 1996 Hawks playoff run
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Smith was widely regarded as an excellent three-point shooter, and is one of three players to make seven 3-pointers in a quarter. He joined the USA men's national basketball team in the 1994 FIBA World Championship winning the gold medal. He won another gold medal at the 1999 Tournament of the Americas and an Olympic gold medal with the USA men's national basketball team at the 2000 Summer Olympics with eleven other NBA All-Stars.
In Their Own Story
In the 1996 playoffs, Smith led the Hawks in scoring during a first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, averaging 21.7 points over 10 playoff games that postseason. In Game 4 against the Orlando Magic, he scored 35 points, leading all scorers in a win. The Hawks lost the series 4 games to 1. Smith's ability to hit from beyond the arc was a defining trait; he is one of three players to make seven three-pointers in a quarter. His clutch performances, including a game-winning three-pointer to beat Wisconsin–Green Bay in the 1991 NCAA Tournament, cemented his reputation as a reliable scorer under pressure.
Reader's Guide
Smith finished his four-year college career as the all-time leading scorer in Michigan State history, with 2,263 points. He ranks fourth on the school's all-time assists list (with 453) and fifth in rebounds (with 704). For his college career Smith averaged 18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest in 122 games. He was named to the NABC All-American First Team as a senior. Smith led the Spartans to a Big Ten Championship and Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1990 and hit a game-winning, last-second three-pointer to beat Wisconsin–Green Bay in the first round of the 1991 NCAA Tournament. He was inducted into Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. In the NBA, Smith was selected fifth overall in the 1991 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. He played for the Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Hornets. With the Hawks, he averaged a career-high 20.1 points per game in two separate seasons and was named an NBA All-Star in 1998. He won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003.
Did You Know?
- Smith made a career high 9 three-pointers in a game on March 14, 1997, during a loss to the Seattle SuperSonics.
- Smith recorded a career high 5 steals in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers on April 9, 1997.
- Smith led the league in three-point shooting at 47 percent during the 2001–02 season with the San Antonio Spurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Steve Smith?
Steve Smith was a shooting guard who played for the Atlanta Hawks from 1994 to 2000, remembered as one of the franchise's most beloved figures.
What jersey number did he wear?
He wore number 5 during his time in Atlanta, which became synonymous with his tenure and leadership on the court.
Why is he known as Mr. Clutch?
Smith earned this nickname due to his fearless ability to score game-winning shots when the pressure was highest during crucial moments.
What major honor did he achieve with Atlanta?
He was named an NBA All-Star in 1998, marking a peak individual achievement while representing the Hawks on the national stage.
How did he impact the 1996 playoffs?
Smith acted as a key contributor during that postseason run, providing essential scoring and leadership as the team advanced through the rounds.
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