Ish Smith

For the baseball executive, see Robert "Ish" Smith. For the boxer, see Ishe Smith.

Ish Smith
Smith with the Washington Wizards in 2020
Washington Wizards
PositionScout
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1988-07-05) July 5, 1988 (age 36)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentral Cabarrus
(Concord, North Carolina)
CollegeWake Forest (2006–2010)
NBA draft2010: undrafted
Playing career2010–2024
PositionPoint guard
Number1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
Career history
2010–2011Houston Rockets
2011→Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2011Memphis Grizzlies
2011–2012Golden State Warriors
2012–2013Orlando Magic
2013Milwaukee Bucks
2013–2014Phoenix Suns
2014–2015Oklahoma City Thunder
2015Philadelphia 76ers
2015New Orleans Pelicans
2015–2016Philadelphia 76ers
2016–2019Detroit Pistons
2019–2021Washington Wizards
2021–2022Charlotte Hornets
2022Washington Wizards
2022–2023Denver Nuggets
2023–2024Charlotte Hornets
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points5,712 (7.1 ppg)
Rebounds1,920 (2.4 rpg)
Assists3,044 (3.8 apg)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Ishmael Larry "Ish" Smith (born July 5, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player who is a pro scout for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Smith holds the record of playing for the most NBA franchises, at 13. He won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.[1]

High school career

[edit]

Smith attended Central Cabarrus High School playing under Scott Brewer. He averaged 24.8 points and 9.8 assists per game as a senior and led Central Cabarrus to a 28–0 record and a MECA–6 Conference regular season and tournament title, which earned him the Meca–6 Conference Player of the Year in 2006, all-conference honors and being named Piedmont Player of the Year by The Charlotte Observer's (he also earned the last two accolades as a junior).[2]

When he graduated, he was ranked as the No. 28 point guard in the country according to Rivals.com while being rated by Scout.com as the No. 1 point guard and the No. 2 prospect nationally.[2]

College career

[edit]

Smith played college basketball for Wake Forest, finishing second all-time for assists in school history.[2] In his four years with the Deacons he had averages of 9.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 121 games. He also stands as the only player in school history with 1,000 points (1,114) and 600 assists (612) in his career.[3]

As a senior, Smith averaged 13.2 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.68 steals. He was named Second-Team All-ACC and earned Second-Team All-District honors from the NABC. Smith also received the team's Murray Greason Award and Team Assists Leader award after finishing third in the ACC and seventh nationally in assists per game in 2009–10.[3]

Professional career

[edit]

Houston Rockets (2010–2011)

[edit]

After going undrafted on the 2010 NBA draft, Smith signed with the Houston Rockets on August 23, 2010.[3] On January 17, 2011, he was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League.[4] He was recalled by the Rockets on January 24, reassigned on February 1,[5] and recalled again on February 8 .

Memphis Grizzlies (2011)

[edit]

On February 24, 2011, Smith was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with teammate Shane Battier in exchange for Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and a future first-round draft pick.[6] Smith made 15 appearances for the Grizzlies in the 2010–11 season after the trade, all off of the bench. On December 14, 2011, Smith was waived by the Grizzlies.[7]

Golden State Warriors (2011–2012)

[edit]

On December 16, 2011, Smith was claimed off waivers by the Golden State Warriors.[8] On December 28, he started for the Warriors in a win against the New York Knicks in place of the injured Stephen Curry, scoring 11 points, with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.[9] Smith was later waived by the Warriors on January 13, 2012.[10]

Orlando Magic (2012–2013)

[edit]

On February 2, 2012, Smith signed with the Orlando Magic.[11] On August 15, 2012, he re-signed with the Magic.[12]

Milwaukee Bucks (2013)

[edit]

On February 21, 2013, Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks along with JJ Redick and Gustavo Ayón in exchange for Beno Udrih, Doron Lamb and Tobias Harris.[13]

Phoenix Suns (2013–2014)

[edit]

On August 29, 2013, Smith and Viacheslav Kravtsov were traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Caron Butler.[14] In his third game with the Suns, Smith dished out a career-high 8 assists in a 104–98 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Smith matched his career-high in assists (along with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 3 steals) in a 116–100 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on January 4, 2014. Smith became one of only three Suns backups since the 1980s to collect at least two 8-assist games in less than 20 minutes of playing time in a single season; the others being Jeff Hornacek and Goran Dragić.[15] On February 21, 2014, he scored a then-career-high 15 points in a 106–85 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[16] On July 15, 2014, he was waived by the Suns.[17]

Oklahoma City Thunder (2014–2015)

[edit]

On July 19, 2014, Smith signed with the Houston Rockets.[18] However, he was waived by the Rockets on October 27 after appearing in seven preseason games.[19]

On November 7, 2014, Smith signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder to help the team deal with numerous injuries. Oklahoma City had to use an NBA hardship exemption in order to sign him as he made their roster stand at 16, one over the allowed limited of 15.[20] After the team's hardship exemption expired, Smith was kept on the roster as the Thunder released Sebastian Telfair instead.[21]

Philadelphia 76ers (2015)

[edit]

On February 19, 2015, Smith was traded, along with the rights to Latavious Williams, cash considerations and draft considerations, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for further draft considerations.[22] He was subsequently waived by the Pelicans later that day.[23]

On February 22, 2015, Smith signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.[24] On March 2, 2015, he recorded career highs of 19 points and 9 assists in a loss to the Toronto Raptors.[25] The 76ers' offensive numbers demonstrably improved after acquiring Smith as their starting point guard,[26] and Nerlens Noel referred to Smith as "the first true point guard I've ever really played with."[27] On March 11 and April 1, he scored a career-high 23 points. He went on to average 12.0 points and 6.1 assists in 27.1 minutes per game for the 76ers in 2014–15, all career highs.[28]

New Orleans Pelicans (2015)

[edit]

On September 25, 2015, Smith signed with the Washington Wizards.[29] However, he was later waived by the Wizards on October 24 after appearing in five preseason games.[30]

On October 26, Smith was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Pelicans[31][32] and made his debut for the team the following day in the season opener. In 38 minutes of action off the bench, he recorded 17 points and 9 assists in a loss to the defending champion Golden State Warriors.[33] On November 6, he recorded 8 points and a then-career-high 11 assists in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.[34] Four days later, he recorded his first career double-double with 17 points and a career-high 12 assists in a 120–105 win over the Dallas Mavericks, marking the Pelicans' first win of the season.[35] He broke his career high for assists for a third time on November 20, recording 17 points and 13 assists in a 104–90 win over the San Antonio Spurs.[36]

Return to Philadelphia (2015–2016)

[edit]
Smith with the Detroit Pistons in 2016

On December 24, 2015, Smith was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for two future second-round draft picks.[37] In his first game back for the 76ers two days later, he scored 14 points and helped the team record just their second win of the season with a 111–104 victory over the Phoenix Suns.[38] On January 9, 2016, he scored a career-high 28 points in a loss to the Toronto Raptors. In that game, he scored 18 of the 76ers' 25 third-quarter points.[39] On January 18, he recorded 16 points and a career-high 16 assists in a 119–113 double-overtime loss to the New York Knicks.[40]

Detroit Pistons (2016–2019)

[edit]
Ish Smith in October 2019

On July 8, 2016, Smith signed with the Detroit Pistons,[41] marking the tenth team he has played for in 7 seasons. On February 23, 2017, he had 15 assists off the bench in a 114–108 overtime win over the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the first Detroit player with at least 15 assists in a reserve role since Kevin Porter had 19 in January 1977.[42] On February 3, 2018, Smith scored 25 points in a 111–107 win over the Miami Heat. He went 11 of 14 from the field and finished three points shy of his career high—his previous season high was 19 points.[43] On October 20, 2018, he scored all 15 of his points in the second half, including the game-winning basket, in a 118–116 win over the Chicago Bulls.[44] On January 14, 2019, he returned to action against the Utah Jazz after missing 19 games with a torn adductor muscle.[45] He aggravated the injury in his third game back.[46]

Washington Wizards (2019–2021)

[edit]

On July 9, 2019, Smith signed with the Washington Wizards, and played his first game with the team on October 23, 2019, scoring 7 points.[47] This marked the 11th team that Smith played for in the previous eight seasons.

Charlotte Hornets (2021–2022)

[edit]

On August 7, 2021, Smith signed with his hometown team, the Charlotte Hornets.[48] The signing marked Smith's record-tying 12th different NBA franchise, joining Joe Smith, Chucky Brown, Jim Jackson, Kevin Ollie and Tony Massenburg as the only players to play for 12 different NBA teams.[49]

Return to Washington (2022)

[edit]

On February 10, 2022, Smith was traded back to the Washington Wizards, alongside Vernon Carey Jr., in exchange for Montrezl Harrell.[50]

Denver Nuggets (2022–2023)

[edit]

On July 6, 2022, Smith was traded, alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Monté Morris and Will Barton.[51] On October 19, 2022, Smith made his team debut. This marked the 13th NBA franchise he played for in his career which set a new NBA record. Smith went on to win the NBA Finals when the Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat.

Return to Charlotte (2023–2024)

[edit]

On October 24, 2023, Smith signed with the Charlotte Hornets.[52] On February 8, 2024, he was waived by the Hornets.[53]

Post-playing career

[edit]

On October 2, 2024, Smith retired from basketball to become a pro scout for the Washington Wizards.[54]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 †  Won an NBA championship  *  Led the league

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Houston 28 3 11.8 .386 .375 .700 1.5 2.3 .5 .1 3.4
Memphis 15 0 7.5 .344 .000 .455 .3 1.0 .3 .0 4.5
2011–12 Golden State 6 1 10.5 .400 .400 .500 1.5 1.5 .7 .0 5.7
Orlando 20 0 8.6 .373 .250 .750 1.3 1.6 .6 .1 2.6
2012–13 Orlando 36 3 10.5 .336 .235 .429 1.3 1.6 .4 .2 7.4
Milwaukee 16 0 8.6 .395 .400 – .9 1.9 .5 .2 2.4
2013–14 Phoenix 70 1 14.4 .423 .043 .564 1.8 2.6 .7 .2 3.7
2014–15 Oklahoma City 30 0 5.2 .333 .200 .667 .9 .9 .1 .0 1.2
Philadelphia 25 14 27.1 .398 .309 .583 2.9 6.1 1.3 .2 12.0
2015–16 New Orleans 27 3 22.9 .430 .303 .767 3.4 5.7 .9 .2 8.9
Philadelphia 50 50 32.4 .405 .336 .669 4.3 7.0 1.3 .4 14.7
2016–17 Detroit 81 32 24.1 .439 .267 .706 2.9 5.2 .8 .4 9.4
2017–18 Detroit 82* 35 24.9 .486 .347 .698 2.7 4.4 .8 .2 10.9
2018–19 Detroit 56 0 22.3 .419 .326 .758 2.6 3.6 .5 .2 8.9
2019–20 Washington 68 23 26.3 .447 .367 .721 3.2 4.9 .9 .4 10.9
2020–21 Washington 44 1 21.0 .434 .367 .576 3.4 3.9 .7 .3 6.7
2021–22 Charlotte 37 1 13.8 .395 .400 .632 1.5 2.6 .5 .3 4.5
Washington 28 0 22.0 .457 .357 .600 3.0 5.2 1.0 .5 8.6
2022–23† Denver 43 0 9.3 .397 .167 .500 1.3 2.3 .2 .2 2.5
2023–24 Charlotte 43 5 17.2 .418 .500 .750 1.8 3.4 .4 .1 3.2
Career 805 172 19.2 .429 .325 .676 2.4 3.8 .7 .2 7.1

Play-in

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 Washington 2 0 24.2 .667 1.000 .667 6.0 4.5 1.5 .5 12.5
Career 2 0 24.2 .667 1.000 .667 6.0 4.5 1.5 .5 12.5

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011 Memphis 5 0 2.0 .667 — — .4 .4 .2 .0 .8
2012 Orlando 1 0 5.0 — — — 1.0 .0 .0 1.0 .0
2013 Milwaukee 4 0 2.8 .000 — — .3 .8 .0 .0 .0
2019 Detroit 4 0 20.3 .263 .143 .750 2.8 3.5 .8 .3 6.0
2021 Washington 5 0 22.2 .372 .286 — 3.2 2.8 1.4 .4 6.8
2023† Denver 4 0 2.9 .500 — — .3 .3 .0 .0 .5
Career 23 0 10.0 .333 .214 .750 1.4 1.5 .5 .2 2.8

College

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006–07 Wake Forest 31 30 29.9 .429 .354 .462 3.8 6.0 1.2 .0 8.7
2007–08 Wake Forest 30 30 32.1 .426 .338 .291 3.4 4.7 1.3 .1 8.6
2008–09 Wake Forest 29 0 22.0 .430 .241 .789 2.7 3.4 .9 .0 6.2
2009–10 Wake Forest 31 31 36.8 .420 .222 .494 4.9 6.0 1.7 .6 13.2
Career 121 91 30.3 .425 .301 .484 3.7 5.1 1.3 .2 9.2

Personal life

[edit]

The son of Gwen and Larry Smith, he has three siblings: two sisters and one brother.[2] Smith is a devout Christian with a degree in religion. He reads the Bible often and prays during the national anthem before games.[55]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "DENVER NUGGETS WIN FIRST NBA CHAMPIONSHIP IN FRANCHISE HISTORY WITH 4-1 FINALS WIN OVER HEAT". www.nba.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ishmael Smith Bio". Wake Forest Demon Deacons Athletics. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Rockets Ink Ish". NBA.com. August 23, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "Rockets assign Ishmael Smith to D-League". InsideHoops.com. January 17, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  5. ^ "Rockets re-assign Ishmael Smith to D-League". InsideHoops.com. February 1, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  6. ^ "Rockets trade Shane Battier to Grizzlies; Hasheem Thabeet to Rockets". InsideHoops.com. February 24, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  7. ^ "Grizzlies waive Ish Smith". NBA.com. December 14, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  8. ^ "Warriors Awarded Guard Ish Smith Off Waivers". NBA.com. December 16, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  9. ^ "Monta Ellis, Warriors cruise by Knicks minus Stephen Curry". ESPN.com. December 29, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2023.[dead link]
  10. ^ "Warriors Waive Guard Ish Smith". NBA.com. January 13, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  11. ^ "Magic Sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. February 2, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  12. ^ "Magic Re-Sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. August 15, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  13. ^ "Bucks Acquire JJ Redick, Gustavo Ayon and Ish Smith from Magic". NBA.com. February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  14. ^ "Suns Trade for Kravtsov, Smith From Bucks". NBA.com. August 29, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  15. ^ "Quick Hits on Phoenix Suns signing Leandro Barbosa's impact on Christmas, Smith and Goodwin". BrightSideOfTheSun.com. January 6, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  16. ^ Spurs' nine-game road trip ends with loss to Ish Smith, Suns
  17. ^ "Suns Release Ish Smith". NBA.com. July 15, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  18. ^ "Rockets Add Depth to Roster with Signings". NBA.com. July 19, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  19. ^ "Rockets Waive Adrien, Clark, Covington, Richmond and Smith". NBA.com. October 27, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  20. ^ "Thunder Signs Ish Smith". NBA.com. November 7, 2014. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  21. ^ "Thunder release Sebastian Telfair". ESPN.com. November 26, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  22. ^ "Pelicans Acquire Ish Smith". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  23. ^ "Pelicans Waive Ish Smith". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  24. ^ "Sixers Sign Ishmael Smith". NBA.com. February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  25. ^ "Raptors top 76ers 114–103, snap 5-game losing streak". NBA.com. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on October 27, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  26. ^ "Analyzing The Sixers' Offensive Improvement Since The Trade Deadline". LibertyBallers.com. March 25, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  27. ^ "Sixers' Noel has gotten a big assist from Smith's presence". Philly.com. April 2, 2015. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  28. ^ "Ish Smith 2014–15 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  29. ^ "Wizards Sign Five for Training Camp". MonumentalNetwork.com. September 25, 2015. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  30. ^ "WIZARDS WAIVE FIVE". MonumentalNetwork.com. October 24, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  31. ^ "Pelicans Sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. October 26, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  32. ^ Charania, Shams (October 26, 2015). "Ish Smith Claimed Off Waivers By Pelicans". RealGM.com. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  33. ^ "NBA MVP Curry scores 40 points, Warriors win opener". NBA.com. October 27, 2015. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  34. ^ "Korver helps Hawks win 6th straight, 121–115 over Pelicans". NBA.com. November 6, 2015. Archived from the original on November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  35. ^ "Davis leaves with injured hip as Pelicans get first win". NBA.com. November 10, 2015. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  36. ^ "Davis' big game in return lifts Pelicans over Spurs, 104–90". NBA.com. November 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  37. ^ "Sixers Acquire Ish Smith". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
  38. ^ "Lowly 76ers beat Suns 111–104 for 2nd win of season". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. December 26, 2015. Archived from the original on December 30, 2015. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
  39. ^ "Lowry, DeRozan lead Raptors to 108–95 win over 76ers". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 9, 2016. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  40. ^ "Anthony ties it in regulation, Knicks beat 76ers in 2 OTs". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. January 18, 2016. Archived from the original on January 19, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  41. ^ "Detroit Pistons Sign Free Agents Ish Smith and Jon Leuer". NBA.com. July 8, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  42. ^ "Pistons rally from 18 down, beat Hornets 114–108 in OT". ESPN.com. February 23, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  43. ^ "Pistons win again with Griffin, 111–107 over Heat". ESPN.com. February 3, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  44. ^ "Griffin, Smith lead Pistons over Bulls 118–116". ESPN.com. October 20, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  45. ^ "Gobert grabs 25 rebounds as Jazz beat Pistons 100–94". ESPN.com. January 14, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  46. ^ "Hield beats buzzer, lifts Kings to 103–101 win over Pistons". ESPN.com. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  47. ^ "Wizards sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. July 9, 2019. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  48. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. August 7, 2021.
  49. ^ "Ish Smith reportedly agrees to deal with Hornets". yahoo.com. August 3, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  50. ^ "Wizards acquire Smith and Carey Jr". NBA.com. February 10, 2022.
  51. ^ "Nuggets Acquire Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith". nba.com. July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  52. ^ "Charlotte Hornets Sign Ish Smith". NBA.com. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  53. ^ "Hornets Waive James Bouknight, Frank Ntilikina And Ish Smith". NBA.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  54. ^ Callihan, Schuyler (October 3, 2024). "Former Hornets guard Ish Smith joins division rival's front office". SI.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  55. ^ "Phoenix Suns point guard Smith stands strong in faith". TheAlabamaBaptist.org. March 13, 2014. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
[edit]
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