Marcus Smart is in his sixth NBA season and has spent his entire career with the Boston Celtics. During his time in Boston, he has become a leader on the Celtics team.

Boston saw something in Smart that they liked during his college career and wanted him to be a part of the organization.

Marcus Smart beginning his career in Boston

The Celtics drafted Smart with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He put up some productive numbers averaging 7.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists during his rookie season. Smart was named to the All-Rookie Second Team after his performance. In his second season, Smart saw his numbers improve coming off the bench. He dealt with injuries during his first few years but continued to make an impact on the court. Smart averaged nine points, 4.2 rebounds, and three assists in his second NBA season. 

During the 2015-16 season, Smart averaged his first career triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds, and he became the first Celtics player to record a triple-double off the bench since 1971. One thing that Smart excels in is his toughness on the court. Whether he’s on offense or defense, he plays physical, and he does not back down from a challenge. 

Smart is also a vocal leader on the court, and that’s something he displayed when he first entered the league. He’s a player that you want on your team because he always brings the intensity and is the one player who can provide a spark on the court, whether it’s through a speech or an impressive play that he makes.  

Marcus Smart becoming a leader in Boston

Smart has become an integral part of the success that the Celtics have had over the past few seasons. Smart will always leave it all out on the floor, whether he’s coming off the bench or in the starting lineup. Every season that he’s been a part of the Celtics, he has made the playoffs. He’s also a two-time All-Defensive First Team selection. Smart is not a player that will go out and lead the team in scoring. But he can score and knows how to make the right plays with the ball in his hands.

Smart is one of the top defensive guards in the league. There’s a reason why he made the All-Defensive First Team in back-to-back seasons. He knows how to make the player he’s defending uncomfortable, and he’s not afraid to take a charge. Don’t leave Smart open when he’s on offense either because he can knock down the open shot. Smart knows his role, and he plays it well. During the 2019-20 season, Smart averaged 12.9 points during the regular season, which is a career-high. Now Smart will look to lead the Celtics to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.

Marcus Smart was a standout player in college

Before Smart entered the league, he had an impressive career in college. Smart played his college basketball at Oklahoma State University. During his time there, Oklahoma State was one of the top basketball schools in the country. As a freshman, Smart led the team to a 24-8 record finishing third in the Big 12. He averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game and was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Smart recorded 99 steals as a freshman, which set a freshman record in the Big 12.

He continued to succeed during his sophomore year, where he was named one of the 30 finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year. Smart was a two-time All-American and a two-time first-team All-Big 12 selection. He finished his career at Oklahoma State, averaging 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Smart made a big impact during his time at Oklahoma State, and his success there allowed him to be a top NBA draft pick.