Miami Heat shooting guard Dru Smith’s parents have played a vital role in shaping his disciplined and determined approach to basketball.
From an early age, his parents believed in him and supported his dreams of becoming a professional basketball player.
Moreover, Dru Smith credits his success to them, who, with their constant support, helped him realize his basketball dreams.
Dru Smith Had Constant Support From His Parents Since The Beginning Of His Career!
Dru Smith was born to Kendra Giles and Leonard Smith on December 30, 1997, in Evansville, Indiana.
Shooting guard Smith is a registered nurse who earned her Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana.
From November 17 to this day, she has been working at Horizons Home Care Inc. for over seven years.
Meanwhile, the basketball player stays mum about his father, Leonard Smith. He stays away from the limelight.
Smith developed an interest in the sport from an early age and started playing in his high school days.
His parents always made time to watch his games, valuing their involvement in their son’s career.
However, the 27-year-old was easygoing and mature as a child. He balanced strong academics with his passion for sports and never caused difficulties for his parents.
Smith’s mother shared her experience of parenthood with her son with Courier & Press, saying:
He’s made my job really easy, He’s always had a level head, he’s always made the right decisions.
Moreover, Dru shares a really close bond with his family, with whom he always manages to catch up even amidst his busy schedule.
When the NBA star first moved to play basketball, leaving behind his family, he expressed his emotions, saying:
I struggled with it at first, it wasn’t easy, I was leaving my family. It was tough for me to decide to even make the decision that I wanted to transfer.
Additionally, Smith often shares his gratitude for his parents, dedicating special posts on social media for them.
One of his posts included a joint shoutout to his mother and father for the former’s late birthday and Father’s Day, respectively.
He also shared pictures with his mother on Mother’s Day, writing a heartfelt caption that read:
Happy Mother’s Day to this amazing woman! Wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without her!
Furthermore, Dru’s parents have made it a point to take the hassle of traveling the extra mile to watch him play in person.
The Smiths never fail to support one another, celebrating each other’s wins and being there during challenges.
Nonetheless, Dru’s parents are immensely proud of his successful career, having witnessed his hard work and dedication firsthand.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Dru Smith played college basketball for Evansville but transferred to Missouri after his sophomore year in 2019.
- Smith became undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft but joined the Miami Heat for the 2021 NBA Summer League.
- In 2023, he played for the Brooklyn Nets but returned to Miami in July 2023, signing a two-way contract with them.
