The sports world is mourning the loss NBA sports writer and analyst Sekou Smith, who unfortunately passed of COVID-19 complications. Read more about how Smith got his start at Jackson State University and grew his career to work amongst the greatest in the NBA in the story below.
There was tremendous outpouring from around the league as they reacted to the news. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Chris Paul among many other former and current players reacted to his passing.
“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 🙏🏾🕊,” tweeted Chris Paul.
After getting his Bachelor’s Degree in communications from JSU in 1997, Smith was a Mississippi State beat writer for The Clarion-Ledger. He went on to the Indianapolis Star and the Atlanta Journal Constitution before joining Turner Broadcasting.
With Turner Sports, Sekou was an NBA senior analyst. He appeared on NBA TV frequently, wrote for NBA.com and was the host of the Hang Time Podcast.
Marshal Ramsey, editor-at-large for Mississippi Now, was Smith’s friend for more than two decades. They worked together at The Clarion-Ledger.
“He had a big smile that just filled the room,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey said the news of his friend’s death hit him hard.
“I went to bed feeling like garbage, and then I woke up this morning feeling like garbage. Then I was like, ‘No, I don’t think Sekou would want that. I think he would want us to keep moving,'” Ramsey said.
Wednesday morning, Ramsey shared memories of Smith on his Facebook page. Ramsey said he was planning a visit to Smith when the pandemic was over.
Smith spent over 20 years in sports media. He leaves a wife and three children. He was 48 years old.
