K.J. Smith makes a name for himself at UNC while embracing his dad's basketball legacy

Posted Feb 22, 2019
K.J. Smith, a walk-on point guard for the Tar Heels, dons the same number his father wore. For a while, he even rocked the same flattop haircut Kenny Smith did during his UNC playing days. K.J. fully embraces his dad’s legacy, to the point of letting his teammates call him “Baby Jet.” But it wasn’t always easy to be the namesake of the two-time NBA champion. (Daily Tar Heel)

Related: Basketball, Tar Heels in the NBA

North Carolina Basketball’s Ten Best Wins vs. Duke
No. 1. 2022 Final Four (81-77) – This Final Four contest trumps all other games in the rivalry and is easily No. 1. For decades,...
Fri Feb 6, 2026

Seth Trimble Leaning On Experience In His Final Home Game Against Duke
Seth Trimble is among the last of a dying breed in college basketball. Saturday night will be the Tar Heel senior captain’s fourth and final...
Fri Feb 6, 2026

Video: The Story Behind Caleb Wilson and the Boozers
An interesting storylines entering the UNC vs. Duke basketball game Saturday is the relationship between Tar Heel star freshman Caleb Wilson and Blue Devils star...
Fri Feb 6, 2026

Three things to watch as UNC Basketball hosts Duke
Saturday marks the actual start of the college basketball season for a lot of people. It is, of course, Carolina vs Duke Round 1. It’s...
Fri Feb 6, 2026