“He really became the mayor of Duke”: Coach K heaps praise on ex-Duke star and Penny Hardaway’s asst. coach at Memphis
Legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had a knack for providing life-changing opportunities to players and his coaching staff. This was certainly the case for Nolan Smith, who is now on Penny Hardaway's staff as an assistant at Memphis.
Krzyzewski was interviewed by the Memphis Tigers in an episode of "The "Penny Hardaway Show" uploaded to YouTube on Dec. 16 to discuss Nolan Smith and his impact on Duke during his playing days. (Start at 11:57)
"He became really a spokesperson for our program, and really became the mayor of Duke. He says (he was the most) beloved player, basketball player has ever played here," Mike Krzyzewski said.
Smith played for Krzyzewski at Duke from 2007 to 2011. He helped the Blue Devils win a national championship 2010 and received the honor of ACC Player of the Year in his final collegiate season.
Throughout his Duke career, Smith averaged 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 44.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc.
Nolan Smith explains how he reconnected with ex-Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski
Nolan Smith had a strong playing career in college, but when things in the professional league weren't working out as he hoped, Mike Krzyzewski was ready to give him a new opportunity.
He went on to be drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 21st pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, where he would play in 84 games throughout two seasons. However, things changed from there as he played overseas and suffered some significant injuries, including a torn ACL.
Despite the hardships he went throughout his playing career, a new door opened for him thanks to Mike Krzyzewski. (Start at 13:07)
"K kind of grabbed me, pull me aside one day as I was laying on the training table. He's like, 'Hey, I know you're still trying to figure out your rehab, but I have a spot for you if you want to start your next career. I always thought you would be a great coach.'
"So when Coach K tells you that that pretty much gave me the green light to start my next career, when he got it kind of gassed me up and said, 'Okay, I can do this.' I will do it, especially with you," Smith said.
Smith would be on Krzyzewski's coaching staff from 2016 to 2022, up until the legendary coach retired after more than 40 years of coaching. He served in multiple positions, starting from a special assistant, then director of basketball operations and player development until finally becoming an assistant coach in his last season with the program.
He would make two more stops at Louisville and Memphis, with the latter being his current occupation as he assists Penny Hardaway in managing the players on the Tigers' roster.