Harvest Smith
Encyclopedia
Harvest Leroy Smith Jr. is a retired American
professional basketball
player, businessperson
and former high school teammate of NBA star Michael Jordan
.
, Pennsylvania before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina
in 1972 with his family.
, both tried out for the lone sophomore
opening on the varsity
basketball team. Smith, who was 6'7" (2.01 m), was selected because of his height, while the 5'11" (1.80 m) Jordan was cut by coach Clifton "Pop”" Herring. Jordan trained extensively over the next year, grew four inches and was selected for the varsity team as a junior exhibiting extraordinary competitive passion.
In 1991, Jordan acknowledged the impact of the event, "It all started when Coach Herring cut me. What it did was instill some values in me. It was a lesson to me to dig within myself." Jordan would check into hotels under the alias “Leroy Smith” throughout his professional basketball career.
from 1981–1985, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology
. He had a four-year basketball scholarship
, playing at small forward
and power forward
positions for the Charlotte 49ers
. In his senior year he captained the team and led the Sun Belt Conference
in rebounds.
(summer of 1986), AST Tarrare in France (1987–88) and Kuma Gai Kumi of the Japan Basketball League
(1988–90). In many instances, he led his team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.
He is currently Vice President of sales and marketing for the TV Distribution group at NBC Universal
and has been recognized as one of the most influential minorities in cable. Smith is also the CEO of entertainment media consulting company HLS Entertainment.
.
Smith is on the advisory board for the Scholastic Basketball Academy, a non-profit basketball program dedicated to the educational and athletic development of youth.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, businessperson
Businessperson
A businessperson is someone involved in a particular undertaking of activities for the purpose of generating revenue from a combination of human, financial, or physical capital. An entrepreneur is an example of a business person...
and former high school teammate of NBA star Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
.
Early years
Smith was born and raised in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Pennsylvania before moving to Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
in 1972 with his family.
High school
Smith and Jordan were childhood friends who played together on their ninth-grade basketball squad. In 1978, during their first year at Emsley A. Laney High SchoolEmsley A. Laney High School
Emsley A. Laney High School is a high school in Wilmington, North Carolina, named in honor of a distinguished local businessman who served on the New Hanover County Board of Education 1941-1973....
, both tried out for the lone sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
opening on the varsity
Varsity team
In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a college, university, high school or other secondary school. Such teams compete against the principal athletic teams at other colleges/universities, or in the case of secondary schools, against...
basketball team. Smith, who was 6'7" (2.01 m), was selected because of his height, while the 5'11" (1.80 m) Jordan was cut by coach Clifton "Pop”" Herring. Jordan trained extensively over the next year, grew four inches and was selected for the varsity team as a junior exhibiting extraordinary competitive passion.
In 1991, Jordan acknowledged the impact of the event, "It all started when Coach Herring cut me. What it did was instill some values in me. It was a lesson to me to dig within myself." Jordan would check into hotels under the alias “Leroy Smith” throughout his professional basketball career.
College
Smith attended the University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
from 1981–1985, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He had a four-year basketball scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
, playing at small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
and power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
positions for the Charlotte 49ers
Charlotte 49ers
The Charlotte 49ers represent the NCAA Division I sports teams of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Charlotte joined the Atlantic 10 in 2005. The 49ers field 16 teams, 8 men and 8 women....
. In his senior year he captained the team and led the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
in rebounds.
Professional sports career
Smith went on to play on various professional basketball teams including: the Hemal Watford Royals of the Premier English Basketball League (1985–86), TuS Bramsche in the German Basketball League (1986–87) the Westchester Golden Apples of the United States Basketball LeagueUnited States Basketball League
The United States Basketball League , often abbreviated to the USBL, was a professional men's spring basketball league. The league was formed in 1985. The final champions are the Kansas Cagerz, who won the title game on July 1, 2007.-History:...
(summer of 1986), AST Tarrare in France (1987–88) and Kuma Gai Kumi of the Japan Basketball League
Japan Basketball League
The Japan Basketball League is a professional basketball league in Japan. It lies below the bj league, which is Japan's top basketball competition, but there is no promotion and relegation between bj and the JBL....
(1988–90). In many instances, he led his team in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots.
Business career
After retiring from basketball, Smith worked for a sporting goods manufacturer before establishing himself in media and entertainment.He is currently Vice President of sales and marketing for the TV Distribution group at NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
and has been recognized as one of the most influential minorities in cable. Smith is also the CEO of entertainment media consulting company HLS Entertainment.
Personal life
Smith is married with three children and resides in Rancho Cucamonga, CaliforniaRancho Cucamonga, California
Rancho Cucamonga is a suburban city in San Bernardino County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,269, up from 127,743 at the 2000 census. L. Dennis Michael was elected as Mayor on November 2, 2010. Jack Lam is the City Manager...
.
Smith is on the advisory board for the Scholastic Basketball Academy, a non-profit basketball program dedicated to the educational and athletic development of youth.