Sekou Smith, former AJC Hawks writer, dies

Sekou Smith, a longtime NBA reporter whose career included serving as the Atlanta Hawks beat reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 2005-09, died Tuesday after a battle with COVID-19. He was 48.

Smith worked for the Clarion-Ledger and covered the Indiana Pacers for the Indianapolis Star before joining the AJC. He left to join Turner Sports where he wrote for NBA.com and appeared as an analyst on NBA TV and Turner over the past 11 years.

Reaction to Smith’s death quickly spread throughout the league as he was remembered as gregarious, generous and a talented journalist. His death was recognized by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the Hawks, Turner Broadcasting, the Referees Association and Professional Basketball Writers Association, individual journalists and NBA coaches and players.

The Hawks statement read: “The Atlanta Hawks organization is heartbroken by the passing of Sekou Smith. The Hawks’ beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 2005-09, Sekou provided our fans with honest and fair coverage, sharing incredible insight on the team while establishing himself as one of the NBA’s top basketball personalities. He made Atlanta his home, continuing his brilliant work at NBA Digital on TV and behind the keyboard telling the stories of the league in his unique way. Sekou’s passion for the NBA and its players was only outmatched by the pride and love he reserved for his family and friends. We send our condolences to his wife Heather and their three children. He will be sorely missed.”

Smith was a native of Grand Rapids, Mich. He attended college at Jackson State in Mississippi before beginning his career in journalism.

“The NBA mourns the passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of the NBA family,” Silver said in a statement. “Sekou was one of the most affable and dedicated reporters in the NBA and a terrific friend to so many across the league.”

Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce was one of several coaches who addressed the death of Smith on Tuesday.

“About as genuine person as there is in the industry,” Pierce said.

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy also made statements at media availabilities. Current Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade made social-media posts offering condolences.

Smith is survived by his wife, Heather, and their three children, Gabriel, Rielly and Cameron.