Growing up a Louisville basketball fan over the years one of my favorite players to ever wear the jersey is arguably Russ Smith. As exiting as he was to watch on the court it was great to see him succeed in other ventures. Check out our quick interview below and be sure to follow us on Instagram.
Where are you from and how was life like growing up?
I’m from Brooklyn New York but now I live in Louisville Kentucky. Life was tough but filled with lessons. Where I’m from in Brooklyn not many make it out but we all show love and have a good heart. I love where I’m from and I enjoy the culture and going back home to be with my friends I grew up with. I was surrounded by violence, basketball and many different cultures. Life was filled with many experiences.
What made you decide on going to Louisville?
I went to Louisville because it was the best school I had. I didn’t know if d play or be a pro but I knew coming here I’d make contacts and have doors opened I couldn’t imagine!
Describe the feeling of winning a national championship?
Winning a national championship was something I never seen myself doing before I got to school so it felt as if I was living in a dream. A great experience for sure.
What was some of your biggest challenges and how did you overcome?
My biggest challenge was fighting for my spot. Being undersized and at the time an unorthodox playing style, I had to get adjusted to new styles of play. I’ve overcame them by watching film and always working on my craft. Learning from others is also just as important.
Describe the feeling of being drafted to the NBA
The feeling of being draft was like a big moment where I didn’t embrace it because I was worried about the other 46 spots I didn’t get taken. I’m so competitive. But looking back, it was amazing. Really put a ribbon & wrap on my story. Who would’ve knew I had more to offer the world after draft night!
What was life like living in china and talk about your 81 point game
I love being in China. The people love me there. In the basketball community I’m pretty huge considering my seasons. I played in a league outside of another big league & average 61 points per game for a world record. No one in the history of professional sports averaged more points than I have for a single season. My 81 point game was impressive, I got pretty hot, but I had had 5 straight 70 point games. I always have a home in China or Asia in any league. They love me, I love them and they love basketball.
How is life after basketball and what type of business ventures are you
into now?
Outside of basketball, I’m a bourbon/whiskey connoisseur (id like to think). I’ve been in the industry for close to 3-4 years and being in the bourbon/whiskey state, I share an enthusiasm for the spirit. I’ve done private selections for major companies & have barrel picked for many. I also named a single barrel after myself for huge brands. I’d like to think I have an experience palette in that lane. I have my own company as well and I’m currently working on closing a deal this fall/winter to get my liquor on the shelves ASAP. My company just launched a website and is working on merch & apparel. I’m also heavily into Real Estate & Music.
Last year you dropped an album, are you still creating music and what
projects do you have lined up?
In music my partner in the Record Label (Shea Lopez) and I have tracks with Jadakiss, Lil B, Nappy Roots, Swizz Beats and have featured on tracks with Dave East, Pop Smoke & Lil Wayne. I also have a gospel song called “The Brave” which is very positive. The album I’m featured on “Da Family Vol 1” has me and members of the label (Killa Time, VSOP Sity & Otis Gilbert. A nice family project. My album “Kids Read Sounds” consists of R&B, Rap, Pop, EDM & more. Just content & creativity to put out to give listeners an ear to my catalogue. Some of my best work isn’t even released. As a hooper, I have to straddle a tough line, but I’m much different than a lot of my athlete competition, I’d almost like to think of myself as a musician. 2-3 projects are dropping before the year is out….”Family Matters” which will have the Pop Smoke feature and is a label-project. Another project is a joint-project from me and the artist from our label Otis Gilbert (We didn’t come up with a name yet for project). He’s out of Louisville & gives listeners more of a Bryson Tiller feel. I think he’s dope. My future project “Boss Album” will have a bunch of the big fish features but I’m also putting out another project before then. I’ve been able to oversee production & creativity more hands on than any other music I’ve been able to do. That series will be called “Chronicles of Prometheus – Planet Myth”. I’m a little out there in regards to creativity and pushing the needle but music is supposed to be creative and fun I cannot wait to share!
Who are your favorite music artist and what are you currently listening
to?
My favorite artist ever are: Michael Jackson ,The Weeknd, Future, Jay Z, Kid Cudi, Drake, Kanye West, Jadakiss, Tame Impala
The only number 1 is Michael Jackson but after that I like everyone else just as equal. Currently I keep those artist on shuffle but every now n then I mix in a little music that hot right now with some of my classics. So the Lil Baby, Gunna, Bazzi, Harlow/Tiller & Travis Scott’s balance my playlist.
Who motivated/inspired you the most?
What motivated me is other creatives being creative & being successful or showing passion in their industry. I think it’s amazing. I’m really inspired by the sounds The Weeknd & Tame Impala use. Their very “trance like” & echoey. Like Kanye’s creative mind when making a song. I enjoy Kid Cudi’s emotional expressions being put out through Lyrics, personality & production. It’s quite beautiful. Then obviously Drakr is Drake. He’s just so talented. Jay Z is musical genius on a rap level & business man. Jadakiss is one of my favorites because as great he is he doesn’t get the credit he deserves from Main stream. I feel relate to him as a basketball player n he’s also my dads favorite rapper. Future talks his shit which I love and he’s him. I live vicariously through him lol. And MJ is MJ, just a goat.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to be a professional
basketball player?
In basketball, to be a pro take a lot of hours and repetition is playing. Always play when you can and play against the best competition. At an young age don’t run away from competition embrace it. The more you get exposed at an early age the more you’ll need to know what you need to work on.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Best advice I’d been given was by Joe Hammond aka “the destroyer” at an young age. “Shoot that shit”.
Best advice I’ve been given as an aspiring pro was to “take the good with the bad, never get too high or too low & always be coachable.” Also “keep good body language & push your teammates to be better, vocally with positive reinforcement or by your play”.
