Joe Smith is an American-born retired professional basketball player who spent around sixteen years in the NBA.
Similarly, Joe mostly played center and was one of the most accomplished basketball players to come out of the Maryland Terrapins.
Who is Joe Smith? Childhood, Parents, Education, and Nationality
Joe Smith, also known as Joseph Leynard Smith, was born on July 26th, 1975, in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. Similarly, Joe is Joe McFarland’s and Letha Smith’s son. And, Joe assumed his mother’s surname because she was not married to his father.
Further, Joe’s family had six additional siblings in addition to him and his mother. Also, Joe was the youngest of the group. And, They were, however, Letha’s offspring from a previous marriage.
In addition, Joe’s mother first supported her children by working as a maid. However, after receiving her diploma, Letha was hired as a medical clerk at Norfolk Naval Hospital.
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Moreover, Joe had a passion for athletics since he was a youngster, in addition to his education. Also, Joe was significantly taller than his other brothers, thus he preferred basketball.
Again, When Joe was still in high school, he had already resolved to play basketball at the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Unfortunately, Joe was unable to attend the University of North Carolina at Tar Heels since they refused to enroll him due to his “underdeveloped” game and body.
As a result, after graduating from high school in 1993, Joe enrolled at the University of Maryland.
Joe Smith | Career
College Career
Joe Smith went to the University of Maryland in Collegiate Park and played two seasons of college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins. Similarly, Joe had previously played basketball as a power forward at Maury High School.
Further, Coach Gary Williams admired Joe for his enthusiasm for the game and his commitment to continually improving his performance.
And, Gary thought Smith was the man who never felt his fight was over, therefore he continued practicing.
As a result, Joe’s sophomore season performance was as promising. Also, Joe appeared in 34 games this season, averaging 20.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest.
Professional Career
Moving on, Joe was the first overall pick in the NBA. Similarly, Joe had a strong start and showed that he would live up to his expectations.
Further, Joe was supposed to have a solid NBA career after two good seasons with the Warriors, but he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1997-98 midseason.
In addition, Joe only played with the 76ers for a half-season before being moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1999.
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Likewise, Joe’s first season with the Timberwolves was a success, with him averaging 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds. However, despite playing more games the next season, Joe’s performance dipped.
Similarly, Joe was dismissed by the team in 2000, and he spent a year with the Detroit Pistons before returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Also, Joe subsequently spent three years with the Milwaukee Bucks, with whom he had a little better performance.
Further, Joe was repeatedly shifted from one club to another after the Bucks dropped him until he ended up with the LA Lakers in 2011.
Consequently, Joe’s sole strong season in the latter half of his NBA career came with the Chicago Bulls in 2007-08, when he averaged 11.2 points per game.
Coaching Career
Joe returned to the Phoenix Suns after retiring to assist Ukrainian center Alex Len during the 2015 pre-draft process.
However, because the Suns did not hire Joe, he founded Fun-D-Mental Basketball Training in 2014. Joe does, however, administer the Joe Smith Basketball Academy for Boys and Girls.
Further, Joe is also affiliated with a private coaching program called CoachUp.
Joe Smith | Relationship, and Marriage
Joe Smith is presently married to Kisha Chavis, an American lady. Similarly, The circumstances behind their meeting are unknown, but according to rumors, Joe began dating Kisha in 2018.
Further, Joe met his love during a terrible period in his life when he was absolutely broke. Fortunately, Chavis embraced him for who he was, and they are happy with their current situation.
Moreover, Joe Smith’s marriage is not his first.
Additionally, In the early 2000s, Joe weddedYolanda Smith. Their romance, however, ended in 2011 when Yolanda filed for divorce after discovering Joe was cheating on her with another woman called Deanne Marie.
Similarly, Joe continued to support his wife financially after their divorce in order for her to raise their child. Likewise, Joe first paid roughly $10,000 each month, but the court cut it to $968 when he became financially insecure.
Further, From his connection with Rashe Bowie, he has a son named Amir Smith and a daughter named Mahogany Lester from his relationship with another lady named Erica Lester.
Moreover, in 2012, Joe had a brief romance with an American model named Moniece Slaughter.
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How old is Joe Smith? Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Joe is currently 47 years old. Similarly, Joe was always slender as a youngster, and despite gaining weight during his NBA career, Joe appeared a little lean.
Further, In terms of physical characteristics, Joe weighs around 225 pounds (102 kilograms) and measures 2.06 meters (6 feet 9 inches) tall. Moreover, Joe’s arms are covered in tattoos.
Joe Smith | Net Worth and Salary
According to sources, Joe, the top choice in the 1995 NBA draft, has a net worth of less than $1 million. Further, Despite earning more than $60 million from league games, Joe was unable to save money.
Joe Smith | Social Media Presence
Instagram: 5,441 followers
Twitter: 19.9k followers
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Quick Facts:
Full Name | Joseph Leynard Smith |
Known As | Joe Smith |
Date of Birth | July 26, 1975 |
Birth Place | Norfolk, Virginia, the USA |
Nick Names | Joe Beast, Boring Joe, Joe Blow |
Religion | Christianity |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | African-American |
Zodiac Sign | Leo |
Age | 47 years old |
FAQs:
How old is Joe Smith?
Joe is presently 47 years old.
What is the wingspan of Joe Smith?
Joe has a wingspan of 7 feet (2.13 meters).
What jersey numbers did Joe Smith wear during his playing career?
Joe wore jersey numbers 1, 9, 8, 7, & 32 throughout his overall playing career.
How much does Joe Smith weigh?
Smith weighs 102 kg.