Josh Smith

Josh Smith joined the Atlanta Hawks as a first round selection in 2004 out of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Smith began his high school career at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, but joined fellow NBA star Rajon Rondo at Oak Hill for his senior season in 2004. During his final high school season he was ranked as the No. 3 prep player in the country, and more than earned that title after leading his team to a 38-0 overall record while averaging 22 points and 8 rebounds a game. Although he signed to continue his basketball career at Indiana University, he decided to forgo college after being selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. During his rookie season with Atlanta he put himself on the map by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and earning NBA AllRookie Second Team honors. Three years later he became the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 500-block mark, and became one of the premier scorers in the game, averaging over 16 points and 8.5 rebounds during his first nine seasons with the Hawks. In 2013 he signed a four-year, $54 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, where he has continued to be a consistent performer. During his 11-year NBA career he has averaged over 15 points and nearly 8 rebounds a game at basketball’s most elite level.