New Orleans - The New Orleans Hornets announced today that they have signed
free agent guard Steve Smith. Per team policy, terms of the contract were
not released. In order to make room for Smith on the roster, the team
waived forward Kirk Haston. Haston averaged 1.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in
27 games for the Hornets over the last two seasons.
Smith, a 12-year NBA veteran, holds career averages of 15.5 points, 3.5
rebounds and 3.4 assists in 821 games. The former All-Star also boasts
career shooting percentages of .441 (4,388-9,944) from the field, .355
(1,064-2,996) from three-point range and .843 (2,918-3,462) from the free
throw line. Last season, Smith averaged 6.8 points in 53 games to help the
San Antonio Spurs win the NBA championship.
"Steve has been known as one of the best shooters in the league throughout
his career and his offense, experience and leadership will help us
tremendously as we start the season," said Executive Vice President of
Basketball Operations/General Manager Bob Bass. "He's had a long career
based on not only his ability on the court, but his professionalism and
character off the court."
Originally drafted by the Miami Heat in the first round (fifth pick overall)
of the 1991 NBA Draft, Smith has also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Portland
Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs. He was named to the 1992 All-Rookie
Team as a member of the Heat, where he played from 1991-94. Smith was
traded to the Hawks two games into the 1994-95 season, where he went on to
lead the Hawks in scoring in four of the next five years. He was named an
All-Star during the 1997-98 season, in which he averaged 20.1 points, 4.2
rebounds and 4.1 assists. Following the 1998-99 season, Smith was traded to
Portland. He spent two seasons with the Blazers before being traded to San
Antonio prior to the 2001-02 season. During his first year with the Spurs,
Smith led the NBA in three-point percentage at .472 (116-246). In addition
to his regular season experience, Smith is a veteran of 82 NBA playoff games
(the equivalent of an entire regular season). He holds playoff career
averages of 15.9 ppg and 3.2 rpg with a .389 (130-334) three-point shooting
percentage.
Known for his work in the community as well as his work on the court, Smith
has received numerous awards and honors in recognition for his charitable
efforts. He received the 1998 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award and also
won the 2002 NBA Sportsmanship Award. Smith donated $2.5 million to
Michigan State (his alma mater) to build the Clara Bell Smith Student
Activity Center in honor of his late mother and has also donated over
$600,000 to his former high school for a scholarship program. He is also a
member of the Board of Directors for "Reading is Fundamental" and is active
in the Boys and Girls Club.