Košarkarski svet in še zlasti lige NBA žalujeta ob smrti enega najbolj priznanih in prepoznavnih novinarjev na svetu Sekouja Smitha.
Po navedbah ameriških medijev je komaj 48-letni Smith umrl zaradi zapletov v povezavi s koronavirusom.
Veljal je za enega najbolj priljubljenih novinarjev, tako med bralci kot med košarkarji. Z novinarstvom se je ukvarjal več kot dve desetletji, kariero pa je začel leta 2001 pri dnevniku Indianapolis Star, kjer je pokrival dogajanje v zvezi z moštvom Indiana Pacers.
Ob smrti priljubljenega novinarja se je z izjavo odzval komisar lige NBA Adam Silver, z zapisi na družbenih omrežjih pa so se pokojniku poklonili tudi številni zvezdniki tega športa.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Sekou Smith pic.twitter.com/QyII7bcuXZ
— NBA (@NBA) January 27, 2021
"Moje sožalje njegovi ženi, družini, prijateljem in NBA družini. Izgubili smo prijaznega in sočutnega moža," je zapisal Chris Paul. "Vedno sem imel samo pozitivne izkušnje s Sekoujem Smithom. Molimo za njegovo družino. Odšel je dober človek," pa se je na novico odzval Dwayne Wade.
Nekdanjemu sodelavcu so se poklonili tudi številni kolegi, sožalje pa so izrekla tudi nekatera moštva.
The Turner Sports family mourns the loss of our very own, Sekou Smith.
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 27, 2021
Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/97mu4bylfA
Man today just got a little heavier... my condolences to Sekou’s wife, family, friends, and extended NBA family. What a kind and compassionate man we just lost. 🙏🏾🕊
— Chris Paul (@CP3) January 27, 2021
I’ve never had anything but positive interactions and conversations with Sekou Smith. Our prayers go out to the Smith family. We lost a good one. Rest In Heaven🖤 https://t.co/yszgMXpfo1
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 27, 2021
We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sekou Smith. pic.twitter.com/3eX6Y08nXW
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 27, 2021
He brought incredible joy and professionalism to his coverage of the NBA. The Thunder offers our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sekou Smith. pic.twitter.com/ydK4TGZnVj
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 27, 2021
The Hawks organization is heartbroken by the passing of Sekou Smith. The Hawks’ beat writer for the AJC from 05-09, Sekou provided our fans with honest & fair coverage, sharing incredible insight on the team while establishing himself as one of the NBA’s top personalities. pic.twitter.com/vt2Dtt862K
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 27, 2021
RIP Sekou Smith 🙏🏽
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) January 27, 2021
Hard to process. An impeccable human being. Rest In Peace, Sekou Smith. pic.twitter.com/7MwOMyOAB3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 26, 2021
Sekou Smith was the very best of us. Smart. Funny. Unflinching. Full of good. A lot of days and nights on the road with him – Bubble, Finals, Olympics, wherever – and always this: Photos of his kids playing ball, or graduating, or leaving for college. Godspeed, my friend.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2021
— Caron Butler (@realtuffjuice) January 27, 2021
