The NBA community mourns the loss of renowned basketball writer and NBA TV analyst Sekou Smith, who has passed away at the age of 48.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Sekou Smith pic.twitter.com/QyII7bcuXZ
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2021
The Turner Sports family mourns the loss of our very own, Sekou Smith.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 27, 2021
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/97mu4bylfA
Rip Sekou Smith . I used to watch you on @NBATV nightly . Terrible news !
— klay thompson (@KlayThompson) January 27, 2021
RIP Sekou Smith 🙏🏽
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) January 27, 2021
Man today just got a little heavier... my condolences to Sekou’s wife, family, friends, and extended NBA family. What a kind and compassionate man we just lost. 🙏🏾🕊
— Chris Paul (@CP3) January 27, 2021
Stan Van Gundy on the passing of Sekou Smith pic.twitter.com/KGfpreZUdj
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 27, 2021
“His impact will be felt forever because of the way he was as a man.”@steve21smith honors and remembers Sekou Smith. pic.twitter.com/sbHnomOWUc
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 27, 2021
Thank you for your brotherly friendship, humor, honesty and compassion. Glad we had a chance to tell each other we loved each other three weeks ago. You were a gift to this Earth as a friend, father and a man Sekou Smith. Rest In Peace to my brother. Prayers to your wife & family pic.twitter.com/mqjnZyEHNz
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith was the very best of us. Smart. Funny. Unflinching. Full of good. A lot of days and nights on the road with him – Bubble, Finals, Olympics, wherever – and always this: Photos of his kids playing ball, or graduating, or leaving for college. Godspeed, my friend.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2021
Heavy heart today..We lost a good brother to Covid.
— MarkJonesESPN (@MarkJonesESPN) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith of @NBATV and https://t.co/dyMHCgGy2q was a brilliant and insightful writer,a positive dude.
He’s gone home to be with the Lord. 🙏🏽
Philippians 4:4 pic.twitter.com/Yw5xvwZ51g
Hard to process. An impeccable human being. Rest In Peace, Sekou Smith. pic.twitter.com/7MwOMyOAB3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith was one of the good ones, y'all. His love and enthusiasm for the game of basketball was unmatched. I loved talkin' hoops with him at NBA TV. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Turner Sports team. This hurts. pic.twitter.com/4hXa1VyJCI
— J.E. Skeets (@jeskeets) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith was one of the first NABJ-ers to take me under his wing and make me feel like I belonged. He pushed to bring the best out of young reporters, was a fierce advocate of diversity in journalism — and did it with a smile on his face. A pro. Our friend. He is missed.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 27, 2021
Our members are devastated by the passing of our beloved friend and trusted colleague Sekou Smith. He was a kind, caring person and a tremendous journalist. We love you, Sekou. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his co-workers at Turner Sports.
— The PBWA (@ProHoopsWriters) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith was my brother from another. We bonded from day 1, mostly because he bonded with everybody from day 1. I’m absolutely gutted, especially for his wife, his kids & his pops. I can’t describe how much his friendship will be missed.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) January 27, 2021
I love you, brother. pic.twitter.com/ihV9CXlgoY
Every photo I have of Sekou Smith, he's smiling. That's who he was - walking, talking joy. I can't believe he's gone, not today, not at all, not like this. My heart goes out to his family and everyone whose lives he made better, which was, well, everyone. #RIP @SekouSmithNBA
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 27, 2021
No. Hell no.
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) January 27, 2021
I spent hundreds of long nights in the bowels of then-Philips Arena with Sekou Smith, and everything you're reading is true. Great writer, even better human: Always upbeat and helpful, loved his Wolverines and his hometown of GRap, and loved his kids even more.
Sekou Smith was the funniest, coolest, sh**-talkingest brother I was ever fortunate enough to know. A sincere, genuine, all-around great dude. One of those people who made you feel better just being around him. To say I'm devastated doesn't do justice to how I'm feeling today.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) January 27, 2021
This is how I will always remember my brother Sekou Smith. We had fun together my friend. For those that didn't know him he was an exuberant Michigan Man and had a heart of gold. pic.twitter.com/QkDUHOF8bc
— Chris Miles (@chrismilestv) January 27, 2021
Rest In Peace & Power, Sekou Smith. Met him when he was covering the Pacers early in his career and enjoyed watching his rise. Always found him to be a great, honorable, loyal & funny brother. Prayers up for his family 🙏🏼
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith... man ...Rest In Peace. He was so positive and a tremendous consistent voice & writer for the NBA & beyond.
— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) January 26, 2021
Wow...
He encouraged me to keep my energy. To be myself. To keep my joy. Never to hold it back to please anyone.
I got you. 🙏🏽❤️