Javonte Smart


Javonte Dedrick Smart is an American college basketball player for the LSU Tigers of the Southeastern Conference.

High school career

Smart attended Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and led the school to a state title as a freshman, earning MVP honors. As a sophomore, he averaged 22.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game. He participated in the Under Armour Elite 24 Showcase in August 2016. As a junior, Smart averaged 25.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He was named Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and led Scotlandville to a state title in 2017. As a senior, Smart averaged 32.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, sometimes playing the center position. He led the team to a state title and was again named Player of the Year. Smart was considered a five-star recruit and was ranked 21st in his class according to 247 Sports.com. Smart committed to LSU over offers from Kentucky and UCLA.

College career

On February 23, 2019, Smart scored a career-high 29 points and hit two free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining in a 82–80 win against Tennessee. Smart missed one game during his freshman season, the regular season finale against Vanderbilt on March 7, after a report surfaced alleging coach Will Wade paid him during his recruitment. He returned for the SEC and NCAA Tournaments after officials found no wrongdoing on Smart's part. As a freshman, Smart averaged 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. After the season, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft but ultimately decided to return to LSU. As a sophomore, Smart averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Following the season Smart declared for the 2020 NBA draft but maintained his eligibility.

National team career

Smart has represented the United States in FIBA play on two occasions. In 2015, he was a member of the gold medal-winning US team in the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship and averaged 6.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Smart then won a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain.
In the U17 tournament, Smart averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3 rebounds per game.

Career statistics

College

Personal life

Smart is the son of Melinda Smart and Jerry Matthews. He has an older sister, Desiree, and a younger brother, Davyion. His cousin, Keith Smart has played and coached in the NBA.