Longtime NBA Reporter and Analyst Sekou Smith Dies at 48 After Battle With COVID-19

The basketball world reacts as news broke that Sekou Smith, an award-winning basketball writer and NBA TV analyst, passed away.

The NBA community lost another prominent voice. 

Sekou Smith, an award-winning basketball writer and NBA TV analyst, passed away at 48 years old after a battle with COVID-19. He is survived by his wife Heather and three children.

The Turner Sports family mourns the loss of our very own, Sekou Smith.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/97mu4bylfA

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 27, 2021

After graduating from Jackson State University in 1997, he wrote for the Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the Pacers and the Hawks. Smith ended up joining Turner Sports in 2009 and worked as a reporter and an analyst for NBA.com and NBA TV. 

His main shows with NBA TV included “Game Time” and “The Beat,” and Smith was the host and creator of NBA.com’s “Hang Time” podcast and blog. His last podcast appearance was Jan. 11. 

Smith had been battling the coronavirus, and Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy sent him good thoughts during his press conference last week. 

Stan Van Gundy started his press conference sending thoughts and prayers to https://t.co/KaK1ABaOnm and NBA TV’s Sekou Smith who is battling COVID.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 20, 2021

The NBA and sports media communities took to social media, paying tributes to their friend and colleague. 

"I just heard the news about Sekou Smith," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. "I'm just devastated. Crushing news. Sekou has been part of the NBA family for a long time...Just another awful day and we're all so saddened."

I’ve known Sekou Smith since I was 20 years old. Never forget the day we met. We were both interns at the Plain Dealer in Cleveland and we met filling out our paperwork. We clicked right away and a great friendship was born. I’m glad he’s at peace, but this absolutely hurts.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) January 27, 2021

Thank you for your brotherly friendship, humor, honesty and compassion. Glad we had a chance to tell each other we loved each other three weeks ago. You were a gift to this Earth as a friend, father and a man Sekou Smith. Rest In Peace to my brother. Prayers to your wife & family pic.twitter.com/mqjnZyEHNz

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 26, 2021

What I’d give for one more bike ride in the bubble with you brother. Along with @THE_Morgann, @MarcJSpears and John Scott, we bonded like never before. @SekouSmithNBA fell a few times, but he got up and kept riding. Now he’s riding up high. Rest easy big brother. Love you. pic.twitter.com/dRbbBCpseP

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 27, 2021

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Sekou Smith pic.twitter.com/QyII7bcuXZ

— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2021

Sekou Smith was one of the first NABJ-ers to take me under his wing and make me feel like I belonged. He pushed to bring the best out of young reporters, was a fierce advocate of diversity in journalism — and did it with a smile on his face. A pro. Our friend. He is missed.

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 27, 2021

Hard to process. An impeccable human being. Rest In Peace, Sekou Smith. pic.twitter.com/7MwOMyOAB3

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2021

I had Sekou on the radio show countless times over the years. Spent time with him in arenas. He was always a pleasure, always so kind. Every COVID death is awful. But Sekou was a young and universally liked guy. So this one really stings. RIP. https://t.co/CD3bGGqEsq

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) January 26, 2021

Sekou, I thank God for sharing you with us. The way you spoke about the love of your family, career and friends is always something I will admire. Thank you for always being there for me. The joy you brought to the world and our 🚲crew was beautiful and amazing. Fly high 💔🕊 pic.twitter.com/WolLcxvjTo

— Morgann Mitchell (@THE_Morgann) January 26, 2021

Sekou Smith was the very best of us. Smart. Funny. Unflinching. Full of good. A lot of days and nights on the road with him – Bubble, Finals, Olympics, wherever – and always this: Photos of his kids playing ball, or graduating, or leaving for college. Godspeed, my friend.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2021

May we all be as kind, as talented, as hardworking, as in love with the game and the craft as much as Sekou Smith.

— Mirin Fader (@MirinFader) January 26, 2021