Malloy Smith, son of former UNC star point guard and television personality Kenny Smith, announced his commitment to head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels Friday. Smith made the announcement on his father’s ESPN show.

Smith, a six-foot-six guard from California, had also been considering an offer from ACC foes Cal before committing to UNC. The Tar Heels offered Smith a scholarship following his visit to Chapel Hill in February.

“After the visit, I just felt like family,” Smith said after announcing his decision. “It was great.”

Playing at perennial powerhouse Mater Dei High School, Smith averaged 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season. He is not ranked on any major recruiting service’s top 100 list.

Smith follows not only his father to UNC, but also his older brother. K.J. Smith played mainly as a reserve for Carolina from 2017 through 2021, graduating after head coach Roy Williams’ final season. Kenny Smith remains one of the most electric players in UNC history, playing for head coach Dean Smith on some of the finest Tar Heel teams of his tenure. He played a significant role as a freshman in 1984, joining forces with Michael Jordan and Sam Perkins on a Carolina side which finished 28-3 and lost in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. A midseason wrist injury to Smith is viewed as one of the reasons the Tar Heels did not win the national championship that year.

Smith was later named a first team All-American as a senior, leading the 1987 Tar Heels to a 32-4 record and a trip to the Elite Eight, where they lost to Syracuse. Smith then embarked on a successful pro career with several NBA teams and won back-to-back championships with the Houston Rockets.

“I can’t thank him enough for how much he’s done for me,” Malloy said of his father. “Training day in and day out. Always being there for me.”

Smith is the third prospect in the recruiting class of 2026 to commit to UNC, joining forward Maximo Adams and guard Dylan Mingo.

 

Featured image via Todd Melet

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