Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Champion Now Set to Coach at Memphis

Nolan Smith is taking his experience as a Louisville and Duke basketball assistant to Penny Hardaway's Tigers.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball assistant coach Nolan Smith
Duke basketball assistant coach Nolan Smith / Jeremy Brevard-Imagn Images
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Former Duke basketball guard and assistant Nolan Smith is now set to become an assistant coach under Penny Hardaway at Memphis, the Tigers announced on Wednesday.

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In 2022, after spending six years on Mike Krzyzewski's staff in Durham, Smith joined Kenny Payne's crew at Louisville. But Payne was fired this year after compiling a dismal 12-52 record across his two seasons at helm of the Cardinals.

Hardaway, entering his seventh season as Memphis head coach, praised Nolan Smith in the press release:

โ€œNolan is a grit and grind guy and is one of the brightest young coaches in college basketball. He works hard and has a passion for the game that is unmatched...He brings a championship mindset to our team after not only having won a national championship as a player, but also by learning from one of the all-time greats in Mike Krzyzewski."

Following four years as a Duke basketball guard, including his starring role for the 2010 national champions alongside current third-year Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith heard his name No. 21 overall at the 2011 NBA Draft. He saw action in 84 regular season games across two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Smith, a former top-shelf prep from Maryland, became an All-American and the ACC Player of the Year in his 2010-11 Duke basketball senior campaign.

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Matt Giles

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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