Jason Smith is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on March 2, 1986, in Greeley, Colorado, and attended Colorado State University, where he played college basketball for the Rams.
Smith was selected by the Miami Heat with the 20th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft but was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. He played for the 76ers for two seasons before being traded to the New Orleans Hornets in 2010.
During his time with the Hornets, Smith established himself as a reliable big man off the bench. He was known for his ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting and his high-energy play. In the 2012-13 season, he started 50 games for the Hornets and averaged a career-high 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
After four seasons with the Hornets, Smith signed with the New York Knicks in 2014. He played two seasons with the Knicks, where he continued to be a valuable role player off the bench. In the 2015-16 season, he set a career-high in three-point shooting percentage, making 42.9% of his attempts from beyond the arc.
In 2016, Smith signed with the Orlando Magic, where he played for one season before being traded to the Detroit Pistons. He played one season with the Pistons before signing with the Washington Wizards in 2018.
Smith's time with the Wizards was short-lived, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks midway through the 2018-19 season. He played a limited role for the Bucks, appearing in only six games before being waived in March 2019.
Overall, Smith played in 647 NBA games over his career, averaging 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He was known for his versatility and his ability to play both power forward and center positions. He was also known for his professionalism and his positive attitude, making him a valuable teammate throughout his career.
After retiring from basketball, Smith has remained involved in the sport as a commentator and analyst. He has also been active in charitable work, including supporting the fight against childhood cancer.
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