For any team dreaming of a championship, depth is everything. You can stack your starting five with stars, but when the bench can’t hold its own, the cracks eventually show. We’ve seen that story play out with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers, though, seem to have learned their lesson. This season, they’ve found someone who can keep the energy high when the starters take a breather — their new sixth man, Nick Smith Jr.

In the November 3, 2025, game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Lakers were already without LeBron James and decided to rest Luka Doncic as well since it was the second game of a back-to-back. But even without their two biggest stars, the Lakers didn’t skip a beat. Nick Smith Jr. rose to the occasion, putting on a show with 25 points and 6 assists.

Naturally, the hype around him is at an all-time high, and in this article, we’ll take a closer look at where it all began …his family roots.

Where is Nick Smith Jr from?

According to Sportskeeda, Nick Smith Jr. was born on April 18, 2004, in Jacksonville, Arkansas, making him 21 years old as of November 2025. He grew up in Arkansas, with his family deeply rooted in the Jacksonville and Sherwood communities.

Before Nick Smith Jr. ever stepped onto an NBA court, he was already a hometown hero in Arkansas. Basketball wasn’t just a sport for him — it was a part of his identity, something that carried him through every gym in Sherwood and Jacksonville.

Smith attended Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Arkansas, for his first three years, where he was named Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Boys Underclassman of the Year as a sophomore.

Ahead of his senior year, he transferred to North Little Rock High School, where he took his game to another level.

In the 2021–22 season, Smith led North Little Rock to a stellar 26-3 record and the Arkansas Class 6A state championship. His outstanding performance earned him Player of the Year honors in both his junior and senior seasons. To cap off an incredible high school career, Smith participated in the prestigious 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, placing him among the nation’s top prospects.

Before committing to college, Nick Smith Jr. was a highly sought-after recruit. As a consensus five-star prospect, he attracted the attention of top college coaches, who made time in their busy schedules to meet with him. Ranked No. 1 by 247Sports and No. 3 by ESPN in the 2022 class, Smith was one of the most coveted players in the nation. Powerhouses such as North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Baylor, and Texas all pursued his commitment.

But for Nick, the choice was simple. He had grown up in Arkansas pretty much his entire life, so choosing the Razorbacks wasn’t a tough decision.

During his lone season with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Smith suited up for just 17 games, averaging 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.

A nagging knee injury kept him sidelined for large stretches, forcing him to watch from the bench when all he wanted was to compete. He did come back to help Arkansas reach the Sweet 16, but that was it.

What is Nick Smith Jr’s ethnicity and nationality?

Unfortunately, very little is known about the ethnicity of Nick Smith Jr. or his parents, Nick Smith Sr. and Candace Smith, at present.

Once more information becomes available, we’ll be sure to update this section. What we do know is that the Smith family are American nationals, having spent most of their lives in and around Arkansas, where Nick’s basketball journey first began.

Is Nick Smith Jr Christian?

Yes, Nick Smith Jr. identifies as Christian. He has publicly credited his faith as a foundational element in his basketball career in an interview with His Huddle.

“Faith has played a major role in my basketball career because I do not believe I would be in this position if it were not for God. He has definitely blessed me to be in this position, and for that, I will always be grateful,” he said in the interview.