Jason Smith (basketball, born 1974)

Jason Mathew Smith (born 20 October 1974) is an Australian former professional basketball player. On 10 October 2013, Smith was named in the Sydney Kings 25th Anniversary Team.[1]

Jason Smith
Smith with the Sydney Kings in 2005
Personal information
Born (1974-10-20) 20 October 1974 (age 50)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
High schoolVermont Secondary College
CollegeCal Lutheran (1993–1994)
Playing career1995–2009
PositionShooting guard / small forward
Career history
1995–1998South East Melbourne Magic
1999–2002Victoria Titans
2002–2003Rida Scafati
2003Scavolini Pesaro
2003–2007Sydney Kings
2005KK Cibona
2008–2009Sydney Spirit
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Australia
Gold medal – first place 2006 Melbourne

Professional career

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Smith's career began with the South East Melbourne Magic and was just starting to find his feet when the club folded. Smith then signed with new franchise Victoria Titans who elected to keep his contract. Smith contributed to the success of the Titans that saw them reach consecutive Grand Finals, in 1999 and 2000, of which they did not win. Victoria soon folded and Smith signed a contract with the Sydney Kings. Although Smith struggled during his first season with Sydney, he excelled during the playoff series, leading Sydney Kings to an NBL championship and Smith was named Grand Final MVP. Outside of the NBL, Smith has had a few short stints in Europe where he played on Croatian team Cibona Zagreb and two Italian teams; Rida Scafati and Scavolini Pesaro. On 18 June 2009, Smith announced his retirement from basketball.

National team career

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From 1999 to 2009, Smith played for the Australia men's national basketball team, the Boomers. He represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games as well as the 2006 Commonwealth Games and Captained the Boomers at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan[2]

Personal

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Smith is a Christian.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Official Website of the Sydney Kings -". sydneykings.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Smith hangs up High-Tops". Basketball Australia. Archived from the original on 23 August 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
  3. ^ "Jason Smith Basketball testimony". Bible Society of NSW. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
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