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Emotional Dorian Finney-Smith reunites with father who spent nearly three decades of imprisonment: “It was amazing”
After years of patience, the wait has finally paid off for Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Brooklyn Nets forward couldn't ask for the better Christmas gift of his life on Tuesday as he was able to reunite with his beloved father, Eric Smith, who got released after nearly three decades of imprisonment.
The Nets gladly granted Finney-Smith temporary leave to pick up his father in Greensville Correctional Center. Joining him at the heartwarming event is his sister and mother.
An emotional reunion
Smith was convicted of second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and use in commission of a firearm in 1996. He was present at the killing incident and wounded the victim but didn't pull the gun trigger. As such, the jury sentenced him to 44 years in prison.
Last July, Dallas Mavericks ex-team governor Mark Cuban and his Mark Cuban Companies chief of staff Jason Lutin formed a partnership with former Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore to endorse an early release for Smith to the Virginia Parole Board. The board granted the parole in a unanimous vote.
Dorian had to wait for five more months to finally embrace and touch his father since he was a child. Indeed, it was a priceless moment of a lifetime.
"It was amazing," Finney-Smith said. "Just me trying to feel him out. I had to touch his arms shoulders, just to get a feel for him. I hadn't touched him or remember ever touching him. It was emotional. The hug lasted for longer than I probably thought."
Full support from the Nets
On behalf of the Nets organization, Jacque Vaughn is ecstatic about Dorian finally being with his father after long years of separation.
After the emotional meeting, the veteran returned to the Nets camp before their eventual loss against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
"Definitely, as an organization, we were very supportive of [Finney-Smith] flying back and being there for that special day," Vaughn said. "You never know what guys are dealing with when they're playing on the floor."
"You talk about the ultimate Christmas gift, for [Finney-Smith's] kids to be there as well, pretty touching this time of year, when you try to hone in on the things that make life simple and uncomplicated, his family and being able to appreciate that."
