Legendary coach Dean Smith was the epitome of how to train young basketball players before they head to the NBA.
The basketball coach handled head coaching responsibility for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 1961-1997 (36 years). UNC legend Kenny Smith shared a touching story about Dean Smith during an episode of the ‘All The Smoke’ podcast. Kenny detailed how coach Smith sent an assistant coach to Africa to learn about an African player’s culture.
“It was like playing for Gandhi,” Kenny Smith said. “My favorite story is not even with me, it’s with Makhtar N’Diaye, who played at North Carolina, he was from Africa. Played at Michigan, transferred in, and went to Oak Hill. Mak was having a tough time in practice. Roy Williams was the assistant coach, at the time, and Bill Guthridge. So, they’re getting on Mak. Coach Smith’s never cussed. Ever. So, they getting on him, and they throw him out of practice.
“Coach Smith, after the practice, goes to him, says, ‘Mak, is everything alright? Homesick?’ He’s like, ‘No, coach,’ and he’s not looking at him. He’s like, ‘Mak, look at me when I’m talking to you.’ He’s like, ‘No, coach.’ [Smith says], ‘Mak, look at me as I talk to you.’ He said, ‘Coach, in my culture, to look an adult in the eye is a sign of disrespect.’ Coach said, ‘Oh, ok,’ and walked out.”
What coach Dean Smith did next is proof of how much he cared about making sure that each player on the Tar Heels felt at home.
“Next day in practice, there’s no coach Guthridge, who threw him out of practice. coach Guthridge is not there for a week. So, Mak said he gets a call from his mom, and she’s like,’ Mak, there’s this man here in Africa who says he’s your assistant coach. He’s been here for a week saying he’s learning our culture.’ He sent coach Guthridge to learn his culture so he could never make that mistake again. That is what coach Smith is.”
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Coach Smith’s efforts didn’t go to waste, and Makhtar N’Diaye would later go on to become the first Senegalese-born player to ever play in the NBA.
He was given his shot in the NBA by the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1999. N’Diaye featured in just four games and averaged 1.3 PPG, 1.3 RPG, and 0.3 APG in those games.
Michael Jordan Was Once Intimidated By Coach Dean Smith
UNC Tar Heels have produced some of the best players in the NBA over the years, but none come close to what Michael Jordan became after getting drafted into the league.
Coach Dean Smith took Michael Jordan under his wing and helped him grow into a phenomenal player. Mike has always given coach Smith his flowers for playing a huge role in his life.
But when Jordan met coach Smith for the first time in his life, he was intimidated by his enormous reputation.
“Scared. Intimidated. I mean, his reputation preceded him. I was pretty nervous about it, but he was easy to talk to. Very knowledgeable. Very caring coach.”
There is no telling where Michael Jordan would be if it wasn’t for coach Smith’s caring approach toward his game. Thanks to coach Smith, basketball fans got the opportunity to see the greatest basketball player of all time dominate the league for years.
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