Javonte Smart

Javonte Dedrick Smart (born June 3, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the LSU Tigers.

Javonte Smart
Smart with LSU in 2019
No. 39 – Philadelphia 76ers
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1999-06-03) June 3, 1999
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolScotlandville Magnet
(Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
CollegeLSU (2018–2021)
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021Sioux Falls Skyforce
2021–2022Milwaukee Bucks
2021–2022→Wisconsin Herd
2022Sioux Falls Skyforce
2022Miami Heat
2022→Sioux Falls Skyforce
2022–2023Birmingham Squadron
2023–presentPhiladelphia 76ers
2023–present→Delaware Blue Coats
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
FIBA U17 World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2016 Spain National team

High school career

Smart attended Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and led the school to a state title as a freshman, earning MVP honors. As a sophomore, he averaged 22.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game. He participated in the Under Armour Elite 24 Showcase in August 2016.[1] As a junior, Smart averaged 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He was named Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and led Scotlandville to a state title in 2017.[2] As a senior, Smart averaged 32.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, sometimes playing the center position. He led the team to a state title and was again named Player of the Year.[3] Smart was considered a five-star recruit and was ranked 21st in his class according to 247Sports.[2] Smart committed to LSU over offers from Kentucky and UCLA.[4]

College career

On February 23, 2019, Smart scored a career-high 29 points and hit two free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining in a 82–80 win against Tennessee.[5] Smart missed one game during his freshman season, the regular season finale against Vanderbilt on March 7, after a report surfaced alleging coach Will Wade paid him during his recruitment. He returned for the SEC and NCAA tournaments after officials found no wrongdoing on Smart's part.[6] As a freshman, Smart averaged 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. After the season, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft but ultimately decided to return to LSU.[7] As a sophomore, Smart averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.[8] Following the season Smart declared for the 2020 NBA draft but maintained his eligibility.[9] Smart announced on August 3 that he was withdrawing from the draft and returning to LSU.[10] As a junior, Smart averaged 16 points, 3.7 rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals per game, earning Second Team All-SEC honors. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft and hired an agent.[11]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Smart joined the Miami Heat for the 2021 NBA Summer League[12] and on September 10, he signed a contract with the Heat.[13] He was waived prior to the start of the season and joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce as an affiliate player.[14]

On November 30, 2021, Smart signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Bucks and their NBA G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.[15] However, he was waived on January 13, 2022.[16]

On January 16, 2022, the Sioux Falls Skyforce reacquired Smart.[17]

On February 15, 2022, Smart signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat.[18] The same day, he scored 40 points in a win against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.[19] On July 16, Smart was waived by the Heat.[20]

On November 4, 2022, Smart was named to the opening night roster for the Birmingham Squadron.[21]

In July 2023, Smart joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2023 NBA Summer League and on August 13, he signed with them.[22] On October 21, the 76ers converted Smart to a two-way contract.[23]

National team career

Smart has represented the United States in FIBA play on two occasions. In 2015, he was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team in the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship and averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.[24] Smart then won a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain.[25] In the U17 tournament, Smart averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game.[26]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

NBA
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021–22 Milwaukee 13112.3.256.222.8331.51.1.3.22.4
2021–22 Miami 4010.0.471.444—1.3.5.5.35.0
Career 17111.8.317.296.8331.4.9.4.23.0

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2018–19 LSU 341829.9.368.311.8393.32.41.3.111.1
2019–20 LSU 313034.2.415.326.8143.54.21.1.212.5
2020–21 LSU 282835.6.460.402.8573.74.01.3.116.0
Career 937633.1.414.351.8363.53.51.2.113.0

Personal life

Smart is the son of Melinda Smart and Jerry Matthews. He has an older sister, Desiree, and a younger brother, Davyion. His cousin, Keith Smart has played and coached in the NBA.[24]

References
  1. Fambrough, Robin (August 4, 2016). "Scotlandville's Ja'Vonte Smart, Madison Prep's Josh Anderson to play in Elite 24 showcase". The Advocate. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  2. Fambrough, Robin (June 30, 2017). "Scotlandville point guard Ja'Vonte Smart, a five-star recruit, commits to LSU basketball". The Advocate. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  3. Fambrough, Robin (April 16, 2018). "Ja'Vonte Smart three-peats as state's Mr. Basketball". The News Star. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  4. "Scotlandville's Javonte Smart commits to LSU". WBRZ. July 1, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  5. Embody, Billy (February 23, 2020). "Javonte Smart's heroics help LSU knock off Tennessee". 247 Sports. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  6. Just, Amie (May 19, 2019). "Javonte Smart withdraws from NBA Draft, returns to LSU". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  7. "He's back! Javonte Smart announces return to LSU basketball for sophomore season". The Advocate. May 18, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  8. Bibbins, Brett (February 18, 2020). "5 things to know about the LSU Tigers". Kentucky Sports Radio. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  9. Embody, Billy (April 27, 2020). "Javonte Smart declares for 2020 NBA Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  10. Embody, Billy (August 3, 2020). "Javonte Smart to return to LSU for junior season". 247 Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  11. Chrisman, Spencer (April 8, 2021). "'Thank you for an amazing three years' LSU guard Javonte Smart declares for NBA Draft". WAFB. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  12. "2021 Miami HEAT Summer League Roster". NBA.com. August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  13. Moorhead, Couper (September 10, 2021). "HEAT SIGNS POTTER, SMART AND SMITH". NBA.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  14. "Skyforce announces 2021-22 training camp roster". NBA.com. October 26, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  15. "Bucks Sign Javonte Smart To A Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. November 30, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  16. "Milwaukee Bucks Sign Lindell Wigginton To A Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  17. "SKYFORCE REACQUIRES JAVONTE SMART". NBA.com. January 16, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  18. Herrera, Irene (February 15, 2022). "HEAT SIGN JAVONTE SMART". NBA.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  19. Robinson, Nick (February 17, 2022). "February Fire: Smart's Prolific Month Helps Him Earn Two-Way with the Miami HEAT". NBA.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  20. "HEAT SIGN DAYS AND GARRETT TO TWO-WAY CONTRACTS". NBA.com. July 16, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  21. "Birmingham Squadron Announce Opening Night Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  22. "Javonte Smart Signs with Sixers". NBA.com. August 13, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  23. "Philadelphia 76ers Sign Javonte Smart to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  24. "Javonte Smart". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  25. Roberts, Ben (February 28, 2017). "Visit for UK game shows No. 1 point guard has 'serious interest' in Cats". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  26. "Javonte Dedrick Smart". FIBA. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
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