Steve Smith is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 seasons. He was born on March 31, 1969, in Highland Park, Michigan, and attended Michigan State University, where he played college basketball for the Spartans.
Smith was selected by the Miami Heat in the first round of the 1991 NBA draft, and he played for the Heat for three seasons before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 1994. He spent five seasons with the Hawks, where he established himself as one of the league's top shooting guards.
In 1998, Smith was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he played for four seasons. He was a key player for the Blazers during his time there, helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000.
After leaving the Blazers, Smith played for the San Antonio Spurs for two seasons, where he won an NBA championship in 2003. He then played for the Charlotte Bobcats for one season before finishing his career with the Miami Heat in 2005.
Throughout his career, Smith was known for his shooting ability, particularly from beyond the three-point line. He was also a solid defender and a good passer, and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1992.
In addition to his NBA career, Smith also played for the United States men's national basketball team, winning a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
After retiring from basketball, Smith became a television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports. He also founded the Steve Smith Youth Basketball Academy, which provides basketball instruction and mentoring to young players.
Overall, Steve Smith had a successful career in the NBA, playing for several teams and earning numerous accolades. He was a skilled player who was respected by his peers and fans alike, and he continues to be involved in the basketball world through his work as an analyst and mentor.
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