Nick Horvath on the 2009 Dragons vs Tigers Championship and Becoming the Author of an Action Hero
April 11, 2025
Donta Smith
- Nationality: USA/VEN
- Date of Birth: 10/06/77
- Place of Birth: Louisville, Kentucky (USA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 100
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Southeastern Illinois (2002–2004)
- NBL DEBUT: 14/10/06
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 10/02/07
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: South 2009
- Championships: 1
- South Dragons (2009)
BIO: Bailey was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Piscataway, where he attended Piscataway Township High School, leading the school’s basketball team to a 23–2 record and a Group IV state championship as a junior in 1993/94.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Donta Smith made his NBL debut with the South Dragons at 29 years of age. He scored nine points in his first game.
Donta Smith played one season in the NBL. He averaged 15 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 18 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 25 | South | 22-8 (1) | 18 | 487.0 | 270 | 94 | 64 | 20 | 74 | 20 | 18 | 45 | 38 | 93 | 178 | 52% | 14 | 45 | 31% | 70 | 100 | 70% | 60% | 56% | 25 | Totals | 18 | 487 | 270 | 94 | 64 | 20 | 74 | 20 | 18 | 45 | 38 | 93 | 178 | 52.2% | 14 | 45 | 31.1% | 70 | 100 | 70.0% | 61% | 56% | 25 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 25 | South | 22-8 (1) | 18 | 27.1 | 15.0 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 5.2 | 9.9 | 52% | 0.8 | 2.5 | 31% | 3.9 | 5.6 | 70% | 60% | 56% | 25 | Total | 18 | 27.1 | 15.0 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 5.2 | 9.9 | 52.2% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 31.1% | 0.8 | 2.5 | 70.0% | 61% | 56% | 25 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 25 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
In August 2013, Smith was naturalized as a Venezuelan, in order for him to be able to play with the Venezuelan national basketball team. He played with Venezuela at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.
NBA EXPERIENCE
Donta Smith was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks with pick #34 in the 2004 NBA Draft.
Smith was taken by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round of the 2004 NBA draft, after playing JUCO college basketball at Southeastern Illinois College, and he averaged 3.3 points per game for the Hawks during his two-season stint.
On December 2, 2005, the Hawks assigned Smith to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Arkansas RimRockers.
Smith played 61 games in the NBA. He averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- June 24, 2004: Drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2nd round (34th pick) of the 2004 NBA Draft.
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November 20, 2005: Assigned to the Arkansas RimRockers of the G-League.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 83% | 92% | 85% | 93% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 8 | ||||||
| Total | 93 | 178 | 52.2% | 14 | 45 | 31.1% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 22 | Atlanta | SG | 23 | 0 | 127 | 38 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 15 | 27 | 56% | 2 | 4 | 50% | 6 | 12 | 50% | 59% | 59% |
| 2004-05 | 21 | Atlanta | SG | 38 | 0 | 433 | 127 | 52 | 39 | 19 | 33 | 23 | 5 | 25 | 50 | 44 | 113 | 6 | 22 | 33 | 48 | 47% | 42% | Total | 61 | 0 | 560 | 165 | 66 | 48 | 22 | 44 | 31 | 5 | 29 | 70 | 59 | 140 | 42% | 8 | 26 | 31% | 39 | 60 | 65% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 22 | Atlanta | SG | 23 | 0 | 5.5 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 56% | 0.1 | 0.2 | 50% | 0.3 | 0.5 | 50% | 59% | 59% |
| 2004-05 | 21 | Atlanta | SG | 38 | 0 | 11.4 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 3.0 | 39% | 0.2 | 0.6 | 27% | 0.9 | 1.3 | 69% | 47% | 42% | Total | 61 | 0 | 9.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 42% | 0.1 | 0.4 | 31% | 0.6 | 1.0 | 65% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Bulgaria - Academic Sofia (2007–2008) | China - Shanxi Zhongyu (2008, 2009–2010), Liaoning (2010–2011) | France - Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez (2018–2019), Levallois Metropolitans (2019–2020) | Israel - Maccabi Haifa (2012–2014, 2020–2021), Hapoel Jerusalem (2014–2016) | Italy - Brindisi (2017–2018) | México - Fuerza Regia (2011) | Puerto Rico - Gigantes de Carolina (2009), Vaqueros de Bayamón (2010), Indios de Mayagüez (2012), Piratas de Quebradillas (2016–2017), Santeros de Aguada (2017–2018), Cangrejeros de Santurce (2020–2021) | Venezuela - Marinos (2010, 2011), Espartanos de Margarita (2010), Bucaneros de La Guaira (2017), Trotamundos (2021–2026)
Smith began his overseas career with Academic Sofia in Bulgaria after signing in January 2007, and he appeared in the ULEB Cup (EuroCup) in both 2006–07 and 2007–08, including a five-game 2007–08 run where he averaged 11.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while playing alongside teammates such as Pero Antić, Willie Deane, and Larry O’Bannon.
He moved to China for CBA stints with Shanxi Zhongyu in 2008 and again in 2009–10, with his international timeline also including a 2009 stop in Puerto Rico with Gigantes de Carolina.
In 2010, Smith’s international schedule included Venezuela and Puerto Rico stops, with his résumé listing Marinos and Espartanos de Margarita in Venezuela and Vaqueros de Bayamón in Puerto Rico, before he joined Liaoning for the 2010–11 season and played 19 games at 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game while sharing the import load with players such as Chris Richard and Anthony Myles.
In 2011–12, he split time between Puerto Rico and Mexico with Indios de Mayagüez and Fuerza Regia, producing 14.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game across 44 games in Puerto Rico and 15.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.2 steals per game across 38 games in Mexico, and his honours from this stretch included a 2012 Puerto Rico championship on his record.
He became a long-term fixture in Israel with Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Jerusalem, starting with Maccabi Haifa where he averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 2.0 steals per game across 35 Israeli league games in 2012–13 and was part of Haifa’s title-winning season alongside Gal Mekel, before earning Israeli league MVP recognition during his Haifa run and adding 2013–14 EuroCup production of 14.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game over 16 games.
After signing with Hapoel Jerusalem in June 2014, Smith averaged 11.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 32 Israeli league games in 2014–15, and he helped Jerusalem win the 2015 Israeli championship by posting 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the title-clinching game while playing alongside teammates including Lior Eliyahu and Finals MVP Bracey Wright.
He remained with Hapoel Jerusalem for 2015–16 and produced 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in 39 Israeli league games while also averaging 12.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game across 16 EuroCup games.
In early 2017, Smith returned to Puerto Rico with Piratas de Quebradillas and averaged 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game across 32 BSN games, and he also logged a brief Liga de las Américas stint with Venezuela’s Bucaneros in three games at 12.0 points per game.
His 2017–18 run included Puerto Rico and Italy, as he averaged 12.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game over 26 games with Santeros de Aguada before joining Brindisi in Lega A and averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game across 22 games.
Smith moved to France in 2018–19 with Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez and averaged 12.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game across 28 appearances spanning Jeep Elite and the Leaders Cup, and he followed in 2019–20 with Levallois Metropolitans where he averaged 8.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game across 25 Jeep Elite games while shooting 48.2% from three.
In 2020–21, he returned to Maccabi Haifa and averaged 12.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game across 13 Israeli league games while also playing in Puerto Rico for Cangrejeros de Santurce (14 games at 9.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game), and he later added extended Venezuelan Superliga seasons with Trotamundos beginning in 2021–22.
COLLEGE
Smith played two seasons of junior college basketball at Southeastern Illinois College from 2002 to 2004, building his reputation quickly enough that he was later described as one of the top JUCO prospects in the country during his time there.
During the 2003–04 season at Southeastern Illinois College, NJCAA Division I leader listings credit Smith with 783 total points across 30 games, a 26.1 points-per-game average that placed him among the national scoring leaders at that level, while other contemporary reports from the same season described him as averaging around 25 points per game.
By the end of that 2003–04 JUCO campaign, Smith’s production had him in the national conversation for junior-college accolades, with Louisville-focused recruiting coverage later describing him as the junior college Player of the Year in 2004 while also stating he averaged 26 points and 8 rebounds that season at Southeastern Illinois College.
After two years of playing junior college basketball at Southeastern Illinois College, Smith was rated as one of the top JUCO prospects, and he committed to play NCAA Division I college basketball for Rick Pitino at the University of Louisville, with the Louisville Cardinals.
However, Smith backed out of the commitment, and entered the 2004 NBA Draft instead, with national reporting on May 7, 2004 noting that Louisville and Pitino were caught off guard by the decision, that Smith had planned on attending Louisville until early that week, and that he submitted his paperwork to make himself eligible for the draft while still having the option to withdraw because he had not hired an agent at that time.
AWARDS
- 1x time NBL Finals MVP (2009) - Israeli Super League MVP (2014)
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2× Israeli Super League Quintet (2014, 2016)
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2× Israeli Super League champion (2013, 2015)
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BSN champion (2012)
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BSN Most Valuable Player (2012)
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BSN First Team (2012)
BSN Defensive First Team (2012)
BSN All-Star (2012)
LPB champion (2011)
LPB Grand Final MVP (2011)
NBL champion (2009)
NBL Grand Final MVP (2009)
First-team NJCAA All-American (2004)
Related
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