Nolan Smith: The Life and Career of a Basketball Icon

Nolan Smith is a retired professional basketball player and a renowned coach. He is an American-born athlete who played for Duke University from 2007 to 2011 before joining the NBA. Smith has made significant contributions to the basketball community and has left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come. In this article, we will explore Nolan Smith’s life, including his age, parents, wife, children, siblings, career, and net worth.

Early Life and Education:

Nolan Smith was born on July 25, 1988, in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. He is the son of Derek Smith and Monica Malone. Derek Smith was also a professional basketball player who played for various teams in the NBA, including the Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1996 due to a heart attack.
Growing up, Nolan Smith showed an early interest in basketball, following in his father’s footsteps. He attended St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, where he played basketball under the tutelage of Mark Karcher, a former NBA player. After graduating from St. Frances, Smith enrolled at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior year.

Career at Duke University:

In 2007, Nolan Smith joined Duke University to play college basketball. He was part of a talented Duke Blue Devils team that included future NBA stars such as Kyle Singler and Kyrie Irving. Smith’s freshman year was not particularly successful, as he struggled to find his footing on the team. However, he bounced back in his sophomore year, averaging 8.4 points per game and earning the ACC Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Smith’s junior and senior years at Duke were his most successful. In his junior year, he averaged 17.4 points per game and was named to the All-ACC First Team. He also led Duke to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost in the Sweet 16 round. In his senior year, Smith took on a leadership role on the team and led Duke to the NCAA Championship, where they defeated Butler 61-59. Smith was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament, averaging 16.2 points per game throughout the tournament.

NBA Career:

After his successful college career, Nolan Smith was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. He played for the Blazers for two seasons, averaging 3.3 points per game. Smith’s NBA career was cut short due to a knee injury, and he retired from professional basketball in 2014.

Coaching Career:

After retiring from professional basketball, Nolan Smith decided to pursue a career in coaching. He joined the Duke University coaching staff as a special assistant to head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Smith has been a valuable addition to the coaching staff and has helped Duke maintain its position as one of the top basketball programs in the country.

Personal Life:

Nolan Smith is married to Cheyenne Woods, who is a professional golfer and the niece of Tiger Woods. The couple tied the knot in 2020 in a private ceremony. They do not have any children yet.

Net Worth:

Nolan Smith’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. Most of his wealth comes from his NBA career, where he earned around $4 million in total salary. He also earns a decent salary as a coach at Duke University.

Legacy:

Nolan Smith’s legacy in the basketball community is impressive. He had a successful college career at Duke, leading the team to the NCAA Championship in his senior year. He was also named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament that year. Although his NBA career was short-lived, he is still remembered as a