Skip to main content

NBA Analyst Kenny Smith Helped High School Basketball Player Win Dunk Contest

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez12/30/24lawandfern
Kenny Smith - High School Basketball)
Former NBA All-Star Kenny Smith walks out of the crowd to give advice to Mater Dei Catholic's Darnell Wyatt during the annual Desert Holiday Classic dunk contest in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. (© Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

NBA analyst Kenny Smith visited Rancho Mirage High School to watch his son, Malloy, play in the Desert Holiday Classic. Little did he and everyone in attendance know that his words would help Darnell Wyatt win the tournament’s dunk contest.

While the senior guard from Mater Dei Catholic reached the finals, he struggled to execute his final dunk. He attempted to bounce the ball between his legs and off the backboard before catching it for the slam. After a failed attempt, the venue announcer called Smith to help his son’s teammate.

The 1987 NBA Draft sixth overall pick rose from his seat and briefly chatted with Wyatt. Kenny Smith positioned Wyatt at the free-throw line before imparting some words of wisdom. However, Wyatt botched the initial attempt after that quick interaction with the former NBA point guard.

Eventually, Smith’s pointers worked as Wyatt pulled off the dunk, and the two guards dapped in celebration. That jam helped Wyatt defeat teammate Davaughn Hueitt, Bishop Gorman’s Kingston Carmona, Folsom’s Siyahe Siaisiai, and Puyallup’s Mason Sonntag.

Kenny Smith was the perfect mentor because Wyatt attempted the signature dunk he used in three NBA Slam Dunk Contests. The former North Carolina standout participated in the 1990, 1991, and 1993 slam fests but never won one. Smith lost to Dominique Wilkins on his first try and failed to make the finals a year later. In 1993, the New York native finished four spots behind winner Harold Miner.

While Smith failed to become the dunk king, he struck gold by winning two NBA championships with the Houston Rockets. His more prominent teammates during those title runs were Robert Horry, Sam Cassell, Vernon Maxwell, Clyde Drexler, and Hakeem Olajuwon.

In addition to playing ten NBA seasons, Kenny Smith’s post-playing career was a slam dunk. He started as a broadcaster for Turner Sports in 1998. The guard from Archbishop Molloy High School eventually joined Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal in ‘Inside the NBA.’