Marcus Smart's College Basketball Career: A Foundation for NBA Success

Marcus Osmond Smart, born on March 6, 1994, in Flower Mound, Texas, is a professional basketball player currently with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before his successful NBA career, Smart honed his skills at Oklahoma State University, where he played college basketball for two seasons. This article delves into Smart's college career, exploring his achievements, statistics, and impact on the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

High School Career and Recruitment

Smart's basketball journey began at Edward S. Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas, where he played alongside future Oklahoma State teammate Phillip Forte. During his high school career, Smart averaged 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists as a senior. He led his team to a remarkable 115-6 record over three seasons, securing two 5A state championships.

Recognized as a five-star recruit by ESPN.com, Smart was ranked as the No. 1 shooting guard and the No. 10 overall prospect in the high school class of 2012. His outstanding high school performance earned him accolades such as McDonald's All-American and Texas Mr. Basketball.

Oklahoma State Career

After a prolific high school career, Smart committed to Oklahoma State University, playing under head coach Travis Ford. During his two years in Stillwater, Smart made a significant impact on the Cowboys basketball program.

Freshman Year (2012-2013)

In his freshman year, Smart led the Cowboys to a 24-8 record, finishing third in the Big 12 Conference behind Kansas and Kansas State. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, leading the Big 12 in steals with 99 (3.0 per game). Smart's impressive performance earned him consensus All-American second team honors and the Big 12 Player of the Year award. The Cowboys earned a #5 seed in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament, but were upset in the first round by the #12 seed Oregon.

Read also: New UCF Defensive Player

Sophomore Year (2013-2014)

Smart's sophomore year saw him continue to excel. On November 19, 2013, he tied an Oklahoma State single-game scoring record with 39 points in a victory over Memphis. He earned All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Defense honors for the second consecutive year. However, the Cowboys again failed to advance in the NCAA Tournament, losing as a No. 9 seed to Gonzaga in the first round. Later that season, Smart was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year.

Incident at Texas Tech

On February 8, 2014, during a game at Texas Tech, Smart was involved in an altercation with a fan after a verbal exchange. He shoved the fan in the stands and received a technical foul. Reports suggested the fan yelled a racial slur at him. Smart did not comment on that element of the altercation at a press conference the following day, and coach Travis Ford chose not to address it. Smart was suspended for three games as a result of the incident.

Overall College Statistics

Over his two collegiate seasons, Smart averaged 16.6 points per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 5.9 rebounds per game. He shot 41.3% from the field, including 29.5% from 3-point range. While his shooting percentages may not have been exceptional, his all-around contributions and defensive prowess were highly valued.

NBA Draft and Early Career

On April 7, 2014, Smart declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility. On June 26, 2014, Smart was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. He joined the Celtics for the 2014 NBA Summer League and signed with the team on July 10.

In just his fifth NBA game, Smart sprained his left ankle during a 101-98 victory over the Indiana Pacers on November 7. On July 16, 2015, while playing for the Celtics at the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League, Smart dislocated two fingers on his right hand. On November 15, Smart scored a career-high 26 points in a 100-85 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Between November 22 and December 26, he missed 18 games with a lower left leg injury.

Read also: The Rise of Marcus Mariota

Rise to Prominence with the Celtics

Smart spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career with the Boston Celtics, becoming a key contributor and fan favorite. He initially came off the bench before becoming the starting point guard in 2018.

2016-2017 Season

During Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 21, Smart, who started in place of the injured Isaiah Thomas, made seven three-pointers and scored 27 points to help the Celtics defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-108. The Celtics were blown out in the first two games of the series and came back from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter of Game 3.

2017-2018 Season

On November 27, 2017, Smart scored a season-high 23 points, making 6-of-9 from three-point range, in a 118-108 loss to the Detroit Pistons. He missed 11 games between January 24 and February 14 after cutting his hand on glass at the team hotel in Los Angeles. On March 16, 2018, Smart was ruled out for the rest of the regular season with a torn ligament in his right thumb. After missing the Celtics' first four games of the playoffs, Smart returned for Game 5 of the first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks.

2019-2020 Season

On January 18, 2020, Smart dropped a career-high 37 points in a 123-119 loss to the Phoenix Suns. He went 11 for 22 from three in the game, breaking the Celtics record for three-pointers in a single game. On March 20, Smart tested positive for COVID-19 after fellow NBA player Rudy Gobert tested positive eight days prior, which had caused the NBA season to suspend indefinitely.

2020-2021 Season

On August 16, 2021, the Celtics re-signed Smart to a four-year, $77 million contract extension.

2021-2022 Season

In 2022, Smart was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the second point guard after Gary Payton to win the award. He helped the Celtics reach the NBA Finals in 2022.

Trade to Memphis and Washington

On June 22, 2023, Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porziņģis to the Celtics and Tyus Jones to Washington. The trade also involved the Grizzlies sending a 2023 first-round pick (pick No. 25) and a top-four-protected 2024 first-round pick (via Golden State Warriors) to the Celtics. Additionally, the Washington Wizards acquired Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and Boston's 2023 second-round pick (pick No.

On October 25, 2023, Smart made his Grizzlies debut, putting up 17 points, three assists, and two steals in a 111-104 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. At the 2024 NBA All-Star break, Smart averaged a career best 14.4 points alongside 2.0 steals while playing 30.2 minutes per game. However, he only appeared in 20 games during the 2023-24 season due to injuries. As a result, he was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2025.

Style of Play

Smart plays both the point guard and shooting guard positions but was named the Celtics' starting point guard in 2021. He has earned a reputation as a hustle player. Although not a high percentage shooter, Smart is aggressive on offense and defense. He often guards opposing players taller than he is, using his physicality to make them uncomfortable and often causing turnovers or missed shots. Over his years in the league, Smart's three-point shooting has improved. His former teammate, Kemba Walker, describes the energy Smart brings to the game: "It's exciting. It's energizing. He just gets everybody going. Gets us going, gets the crowd going. Like I said, we just kinda feed off him. He just does so many great things."

Personal Life

Smart is the son of Billy Frank and Camellia Smart. Camellia passed away from a battle with cancer in 2018 at age 63. He has one brother, Michael, and two half-brothers, Todd and Jeff Westbrook.

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