The Untold Truth: 5 Surprising Facts About Stephen A. Smith's College Basketball Career (The 1.5 PPG Myth Debunked?)

Stephen A. Smith is, without a doubt, the most recognizable and polarizing voice in modern sports media, known for his fiery takes on ESPN’s First Take and his ubiquitous presence across the NBA landscape. Yet, for all his fame as a commentator, the single most persistent point of mockery and curiosity remains the actual details of his own basketball career.

This article, updated in December 2025, dives deep into the little-known history of Stephen Anthony Smith's playing days, a journey that began in New York City and led him to a Division II Historically Black College and University (HBCU) program, only to be cut short by an untimely injury. The truth is far more complex than the infamous "1.5 points per game" joke that has become a running gag in the sports world.

Stephen A. Smith: Full Biographical Profile

To understand the player, one must first understand the man. Stephen A. Smith’s background is rooted in New York, with a strong connection to the U.S. Virgin Islands through his parents, giving him a unique cultural perspective that later fueled his broadcasting style.

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• Full Name: Stephen Anthony Smith
• Born: October 14, 1967
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
• High School: Thomas A. Edison High School (Queens, New York)
• Junior College: Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
• College: Winston-Salem State University (WSSU)
• Degree: B.A. in Mass Communications (Graduated 1991)
• College Basketball Career: WSSU Rams (1987–1991), Division II, CIAA Conference
• Notable Non-Playing Achievements: Inducted into the John B. McLendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame (2017) for media contributions and philanthropic support. Executive Producer and Host of ESPN's First Take.

Fact 1: The Prestigious Program He Joined Under a Legend

Contrary to the narrative that his playing career was insignificant, Smith played for one of the most storied programs in HBCU basketball history: the Winston-Salem State Rams.

After a year at the junior college level with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York, Smith transferred to WSSU in North Carolina.

The true significance lies in his coach: the legendary Clarence "Big House" Gaines.

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Gaines, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, led the WSSU Rams for 47 years and coached greats like Cleo Hill, the first African-American player from an HBCU to be drafted in the NBA.

Playing for Gaines, even for a short time, put Smith in a tradition of excellence within the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) conference.

Smith has consistently cited his time under Coach Gaines as a formative experience that shaped his discipline and professional ethos, far more than his on-court statistics.

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Fact 2: The Infamous 1.5 PPG Stat is Technically Real, But Context is Crucial

The most widely known, and often mocked, detail of Smith's college career is the 1.5 points per game (PPG) average.

This "horrific statline," as it has been called, stems from a stat sheet for his final year with the Rams, which shows he played in only nine games.

During those limited appearances, Smith’s shooting was documented as 5-for-25 from the field and 5-for-22 from beyond the arc.

However, Smith has repeatedly clarified that this limited playing time and the resulting low average were a direct consequence of a career-ending knee injury, which prevented him from fulfilling his scholarship potential.

The injury, which he has discussed on platforms like Paul George's Podcast P, derailed his aspirations to potentially play professional basketball, a dream he held from his youth in the Bronx.

The debate over the stat often ignores the fact that a player’s career was cut short, turning a personal setback into a media punchline used by critics like Jason Whitlock to question his on-air credibility.

Fact 3: His CIAA Hall of Fame Induction Was Not for Playing

In 2017, Stephen A. Smith was inducted into the John B. McLendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame.

This induction often leads to confusion, with some believing it validates a successful playing career.

The reality is that Smith was honored for his decades of contribution to the conference and to the broader world of sports journalism.

As a prominent alumnus who earned his B.A. in Mass Communications from WSSU, Smith has used his national platform to champion the cause of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

He is known to be a significant donor to his alma mater, stating that he donates a minimum of $50,000 to $100,000 annually to WSSU, a testament to his commitment to the HBCU legacy.

Fact 4: The Injury Was Not the Only Time He Was Sidelined

While the college injury ended his playing career, Smith's later life has seen him suffer other basketball-related injuries that have become minor news stories, showing his continued passion for the sport.

Years after his WSSU days, Smith sustained an ankle injury while practicing for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

This incident, which required a hospital visit, was widely covered on ESPN, with his First Take co-hosts, including Molly Qerim, jokingly detailing his mishap.

He also had a separate shoulder injury that kept him off the air for a period, further illustrating his physical involvement in the sport, even in his role as a commentator.

These later injuries only serve to underscore the physical demands of basketball and the reality that a single, unfortunate moment—like the one he experienced in college—can permanently alter a player’s path.

Fact 5: The True Legacy is His Transition from Player to Analyst

The most enduring aspect of Stephen A. Smith's basketball career is not the stats he put up, but the path it forced him to take.

His injury closed the door on playing professionally but opened the door to journalism, a field where he has achieved unparalleled success.

His deep understanding of the game, rooted in his experience under a Hall of Fame coach and his time in the competitive CIAA, lends a layer of credibility to his commentary that many non-athlete analysts lack.

When he critiques an NBA player, his listeners know he has an intimate, albeit brief, understanding of the dedication required at the Division II level—a level of ball that is often highly competitive and physically demanding.

Ultimately, Stephen A. Smith’s basketball career serves as a powerful reminder that failure or setback on the court can lead to extraordinary success off of it, transforming a former Division II guard into the most dominant voice in sports media. His is a story of a dream deferred, but a career realized through a different, equally competitive avenue.