Sekou Smith death: NBA family and fans mourn after beloved reporter loses COVID-19 battle

2021 brought ar loss for NBA community as beloved reporter Sekou Smith passed away after a battle against COVID-19. 48-year-old h worked in industry for years, currently popular for his appearance on NBA TV's Turner Sports. “ NBA mourns passing of Sekou Smith, a beloved member of NBA family,” league commissioner am Silver wrote in his statement as various or tributes and messs poured in. 

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Sekou Smith NBA TV tribute

"Sekou was one of most affable and dedicated reporters in NBA and a terrific friend to so many across league," Silver continued in his statement, focusing on Smith's work for over two deces – 11 years of which he spent with Turner Sports as an analyst, writer and podcast host. "Sekou’s love of basketball was clear to everyone who knew him and it always shined through in his work". 

Smith is survived by his wife Hear and three children – Gabriel, Rielly and Cameron. 

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How did Sekou Smith die? Sekou Smith cause of death

Smith gruated Jackson State University in 1997, writing for  Indianapolis Star and Atlanta Journal-Constitution while covering Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks respectively. In 2009, he joined Turner Sports – working as a reporter and analyst for NBA and NBA TV. He was kwn for shows like "Game Time" and " Beat", along with his podcast "Hang Time".

Smith, who h been battling COVID-19 for some time, me his last podcast appearance on January 11. 

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NBA community mourns Sekou Smith death

Everyone from coaches and colleagues to organizations and fans mourned his death, many sharing what reporter meant to m. "Sekou Smith was one of first NABJ-ers to take me under his wing and make me feel like I belonged," wrote Malika Andrews, explaining how he h been an vocate for diverse journalism with a smile on his face. 

Phoenix Suns star and  National Basketball Players Association's president Chris Paul also tweeted about Smith's passing away. "Man today just got a little heavier," he wrote, sending condolences to Smith's family while referring to reporter as a kind and compassionate man he knew. 

Or Sekou Smith tribute

ESPN's rian Wojnarowski, Athletic's Shams Charania, Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert and New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy were among many ors who publicly mourned Smith's death. 

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(Im credits: Sekou Smith Twitter)