Javonte Smart Bio
Javonte Dedrick Smart (born June 3, 1999) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Osceola Magic of the NBA G League. A 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) shooting guard, Smart has built his career across the NBA G League, the NBA, and international basketball since going undrafted out of LSU in 2021. He is recognized for a smooth scoring touch, steady playmaking, and a competitive edge shaped by a decorated high school career in Louisiana.
After three seasons with the LSU Tigers, Smart has represented teams such as the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Wisconsin Herd, Birmingham Squadron, Delaware Blue Coats, and Crvena zvezda Meridianbet of Serbia, and the Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). In 2024, he won an ABA League championship in Serbia, and in 2025 he was named CEBL scoring champion while representing the United States at the FIBA AmeriCup.
Early Life and Background
Javonte Dedrick Smart was born on June 3, 1999, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the United States. He grew up in a close family headed by his mother, Melinda Smart, and his father, Jerry Matthews. Smart has an older sister, Desiree, and a younger brother, Davyion, and the family environment encouraged competitive athletics from a young age. His cousin, Keith Smart, played and coached in the NBA, giving the family a direct connection to the professional game.
Smart attended Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, where he quickly established himself as one of the top prospects in the country. He led the school to a state title as a freshman and earned MVP honors, setting the tone for a remarkable four-year prep career. By the time he graduated, he had become a five-star recruit and was ranked 21st in his class by 247Sports, drawing scholarship offers from programs such as Kentucky and UCLA before committing to LSU.
Path to Basketball
Smart’s development at Scotlandville Magnet was steady and impressive. As a sophomore, he averaged 22.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.9 rebounds per game, then lifted his scoring to 25.1 points per game as a junior, adding 8.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.1 steals. He was named Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons and led Scotlandville to another state championship in 2017.
As a senior, Smart averaged 32.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, sometimes playing the center position, and guided his team to a third state title. He was once again named Player of the Year and earned Louisiana Mr. Basketball honors for the third consecutive season. He also gained valuable experience on the international stage as a member of USA Basketball’s gold medal-winning teams at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship and the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Spain.
Javonte Smart Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Smart began his college career at LSU during the 2018–19 season and made an immediate impact. On February 23, 2019, he scored a career-high 29 points and hit two clutch free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining in an 82–80 win against Tennessee. He averaged 11.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game as a freshman, briefly declared for the 2019 NBA draft, then returned to school.
As a sophomore, Smart averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game, then again tested the draft process before withdrawing in August 2020. His junior year proved to be his most productive, as he averaged 16 points, 3.7 rebounds, four assists, and 1.3 steals per game and earned Second Team All-SEC honors from the coaches. He declared for the 2021 NBA draft and signed with an agent.
NBA G League Breakthrough (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in 2021, Smart joined the Miami Heat for NBA Summer League and signed an Exhibit 10 deal, which led to a stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce as an affiliate player. On November 30, 2021, he earned a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, splitting time with the Wisconsin Herd before being waived in January 2022.
Smart was quickly picked up by the Sioux Falls Skyforce, then signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat on February 15, 2022. That same day, he exploded for 40 points in a win against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, showcasing his scoring ceiling at the G League level. He was waived by the Heat in July 2022, and on November 4, 2022, he was named to the opening night roster of the Birmingham Squadron for the 2022–23 season.
Philadelphia 76ers and Delaware Blue Coats Era (2023–2024)
In July 2023, Smart joined the Philadelphia 76ers for Summer League and signed with the team in August. He was converted to a two-way contract on October 21, 2023, then waived on December 23, after which he joined the Delaware Blue Coats four days later. With the Blue Coats, Smart continued to refine his role as a combo guard capable of scoring in bunches and creating for teammates.
His play in Delaware helped him secure an overseas opportunity, and on January 14, 2024, he signed with Serbian powerhouse Crvena zvezda Meridianbet. He later joined the Osceola Magic on October 27, 2024, after a brief training camp agreement with the Orlando Magic, becoming a central part of the team’s backcourt rotation.
Osceola Magic Era (2024–Present)
Smart has been a steady contributor for the Osceola Magic, providing scoring, playmaking, and veteran presence. On October 13, 2025, he signed a training camp contract with Orlando and was waived prior to the start of the regular season on October 18, 2025, returning to the Osceola Magic for the 2025–26 campaign. He has continued to produce offensively and is a featured piece in the team’s rotation.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smart is best known as a smooth, score-first combo guard with deep shooting range, capable of playing on or off the ball. He combines pull-up jumper efficiency with the ability to attack closeouts and finish at the rim, while his point guard instincts allow him to operate as a secondary playmaker. Defensively, he uses his length and basketball IQ to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Smart’s signature moments are his 40-point outburst for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in February 2022 and his 2024 ABA League championship with Crvena zvezda Meridianbet. In 2025, he added the CEBL scoring title and represented the United States at the FIBA AmeriCup in Managua, underlining his standing as a respected international competitor.
Javonte Smart Career Wins
Javonte Smart has collected a wide range of team and individual accomplishments across high school, college, and professional basketball. He is a three-time Louisiana Mr. Basketball, a former Second Team All-SEC selection, an ABA League champion, and a CEBL scoring champion.
NBA G League Highlights
Smart has played for multiple NBA G League franchises, including the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Wisconsin Herd, Birmingham Squadron, Delaware Blue Coats, and Osceola Magic. He has produced several high-scoring performances, most notably a 40-point game for the Skyforce in 2022, and has served as a featured scorer for each of his G League teams.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the G League, Smart captured an ABA League championship in 2024 with Crvena zvezda Meridianbet and was named CEBL scoring champion in 2025 while playing for the Ottawa BlackJacks. He is also a two-time FIBA gold medalist with USA Basketball, winning at the 2015 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship and the 2016 FIBA Under-17 World Championship.
Javonte Smart Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Smart is the son of Melinda Smart and Jerry Matthews, and he has an older sister, Desiree, and a younger brother, Davyion. His cousin, Keith Smart, played and coached in the NBA, giving the family a clear basketball lineage that helped shape Javonte’s path to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
Smart keeps his personal life largely private and focuses publicly on his basketball career. He is not publicly known to be married, and details about a spouse or children have not been disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been one of the most productive of Smart’s professional career. After joining the Osceola Magic late in 2024, he established himself as a primary scoring option and helped the team compete in the NBA G League. He also spent time with the Ottawa BlackJacks, where he earned CEBL scoring champion honors.
On the international stage, Smart represented the United States at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup in Managua, adding another high-level experience to his résumé. He signed a training camp deal with the Orlando Magic in October 2025 before being waived and returning to the Osceola Magic for the start of the 2025–26 season.
Looking ahead, Smart is expected to remain a central figure in the Osceola Magic rotation, with his scoring, playmaking, and veteran poise providing a steadying influence. His blend of G League production, overseas success, and international experience positions him well for additional opportunities in the NBA and abroad.