Here is all you need to know about Jabari Smith Jr dad Jabari Smith Sr as he shares an amusing exchange with LeBron James
One of the top talents in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jabari Smith Jr. was ultimately taken third overall by the Houston Rockets.
Jabari faced LeBron James for the first time ever on an NBA court on Monday, January 16, 2023. LeBron James scored 48 points, a season best, with five three-pointers, eight rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Lakers to victory.
However, a conversation between Jabari Smith Jr. and James will likely be the moment that the game is best recalled. Have a look:
LeBron’s first-ever NBA game actually pitted James against Jabari Smith’s father, Smith Sr., according to Jabari Smith at one point.
Who is Jabari Smith Sr dad of Jabari Smith Jr, his age, height, wife, NBA stats and teams
In 2003, against the Sacramento Kings, LeBron played in his debut game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jabari said:
“You played against my dad in your first NBA game ever.”
“Really? Why you do that to me?” James jokingly replied.
Jabari replied: “You feel old, don’t you?”
"You played against my dad your first NBA game ever." 🤯
LeBron and Jabari Smith Jr. pregame tonight pic.twitter.com/4YXlGunZi5
— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2023
LeBron said to reporters that he felt “old as c***” after the game. Meanwhile, Jabari Smith Jr.’s father didn’t actually participate in the game, as several fans have noted.
Who is Jabari Smith Jr’s father?
The name Jabari Smith will be well-known to NBA fans of a certain generation. Considering that Jabari Smith’s father, Jabari Smith Sr., played in the NBA for four seasons, this makes sense.
Before the Sacramento Kings selected the elder Smith in the second round of the 2000 NBA draft, he played college basketball at Louisiana State University.
Smith Sr. was a centre who stood 6 feet 11 inches tall and is currently aged 45. Despite his size, he had a great shooting range and could make baskets almost anywhere. The elder Smith played for the Kings, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the New Jersey Nets throughout four seasons from 2000 to 2005.
In 108 games overall, he averaged 3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field and playing 9.8 minutes each game.
After a successful college career at LSU, Jabari Smith Sr. declared for the draft, going 45th overall in the 2000 draft and after a short stint with the Sacramento Kings, he then played for the Philadelphia 76ers for a year.
While there isn’t much notable information about his mom Taneskia Purnell, Jabari Smith’s cousin interestingly is Kwame Brown. Brown was the first overall pick in the 2001 draft and is widely considered one of the biggest busts in NBA history.
However, his career ultimately did not turn out as he had intended, and the elder Jabari played abroad in Spain, Turkey, Iran, and Puerto Rico before retiring.