You’ll often find Smith, a BYU graduate, and his family in the “Hollywood floor seats” near BYU basketball’s bench at the Marriott Center. Next season, those seats will be next to new BYU basketball head coach Kevin Young.
Smith expressed admiration for Young’s decision to join BYU, noting, “It’s incredible that [Kevin Young] chose BYU because, with all the movement we’ve seen in the NBA, he could easily have landed a head coaching job there,” Smith said on the KSL Sports Zone’s Hans & Scotty G show.
The hiring of Young, along with his reported seven-year, $30 million contract, has sparked curiosity about Smith’s involvement in donations to BYU, given his reported net worth of $2.2 billion.
Smith discussed his support for BYU in an interview with Hans & Scotty G, explaining, “I was born in Eugene, Oregon in 1980, in the same hospital as Danny Ainge. My father taught at the University of Oregon, and after some moves, we settled in Oregon, which had a vibrant culture.
Moving to BYU was a significant cultural change, but my parents, like KY [Kevin Young], believed it was best for the family. BYU supported us through challenging times—my parents’ divorce, my father’s battle with stage four throat cancer—and these experiences shaped my commitment to supporting BYU. It’s not just about sports; it’s about how BYU supported my family during our toughest moments. It would feel strange to be in my position today and not give back to them.”
