The Atlanta Hawks made the announcement today that center Clint Capela will be the recipient of the Sekou Smith Award for the 2022-23 season. This award is given yearly to the player on the roster of the team who best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their dealings with the media.
Capela was chosen as the winner by vote from a vetted group of local media representatives. During tonight’s pregame event, which will also involve members of Smith’s family, he will be honored for his contributions.
According to Garin Narain, who serves as the Chief Communications Officer and Executive Vice President for the Atlanta Hawks, “Clint has been accommodating, thoughtful, and candid with the media throughout the course of the season.”
“He recognizes the significance of the coverage they present and the narratives they share with our audience, and he does so with a healthy amount of respect.” This year there were a lot of contenders that deserved to win, but we’re really happy to give it to Clint.
In addition to bestowing this distinction onto Smith, the Hawks will, in 2021, rename the media workroom at State Farm Arena to be in his honor and remodel the room in order to pay tribute to his life and career. In addition, the franchise started honoring Smith’s legacy by naming an annual Hawks-NBA Summer League internship after him in 2021.
Before joining NBA Digital as a multimedia reporter and analyst, Smith covered the Hawks for the Atlanta Journal Constitution from 2005 until 2009. In that capacity, he was active during the years 2005–2009. In addition to that, he worked for The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi and at the Indianapolis Star, where he was the beat reporter for the Indiana Pacers basketball team. Both of these positions are in the state of Mississippi.
