Tyler Smith Bio
Tyler Smith (born November 2, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. The 6-foot-9 power forward was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended George Bush High School in Richmond, Texas. He was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Smith has previously played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Herd, and was a standout performer in the Overtime Elite league before beginning his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Smith was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2005, Smith’s family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina and relocated to Houston, Texas. Growing up in the Houston area, Smith developed his basketball skills and eventually became a highly decorated high school prospect.
Smith attended George Bush High School in Richmond, Texas, where he established himself as one of the top prospects in the country. As a five-star recruit, he was ranked among the elite players in the 2023 class, placing eighth overall according to ESPN, 15th by 247Sports, and 18th by Rivals. His standout high school performance attracted scholarship offers from several major college programs, including Kansas, Baylor, Texas, Florida State, Oklahoma, Memphis, and LSU.
Path to Professional Basketball
Rather than pursuing a collegiate career, Smith made the decision to bypass college basketball entirely. On August 22, 2021, he signed a two-year contract with Overtime Elite (OTE), a professional league based in Atlanta designed for players between the ages of 16 and 20. This marked the beginning of his professional journey directly from high school.
During his second season in OTE, Smith played for the Cold Hearts team and delivered an impressive statistical performance. He was named Second Team All-OTE after averaging 15.7 points, eight rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. These numbers demonstrated his versatility as a two-way player capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
Building on his OTE experience, Smith signed with the NBA G League Ignite on June 30, 2023. The Ignite program provided him with an opportunity to face more experienced competition while continuing his development against professionals in a structured environment.
Tyler Smith Career
Milwaukee Bucks and NBA Debut (2024)
Smith declared for the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks. He signed his rookie contract with the Bucks on July 5, 2024. His selection represented the culmination of his journey from high school prospect to professional basketball player.
Smith made his NBA debut on October 23, 2024, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks secured a 124-109 victory in that contest. Throughout his rookie season, Smith appeared in 23 games for Milwaukee, averaging 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game. He was also assigned to the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee’s NBA G League affiliate, multiple times during the season to gain additional playing experience.
NBA Cup Championship and Milwaukee Tenure
One of the defining moments of Smith’s rookie season came on December 17, 2024, when he played a role in the Bucks’ championship run in the NBA Cup. Smith contributed during the final minutes of the championship game, helping Milwaukee defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 to claim the title. This victory represented his first major professional accolade and provided him with valuable playoff-intensity experience early in his career.
Smith completed his rookie season with the Bucks organization, gaining valuable minutes and learning the nuances of NBA competition. His ability to play both forward positions and contribute in limited minutes showed promise for his future development.
Roster Transitions (2025-2026)
Following his rookie season, Smith was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks on October 20, 2025, after losing a training camp roster competition to Amir Coffey. This marked a challenging period as Smith entered free agency seeking a new opportunity.
On October 25, 2025, Smith was selected second overall by the Osceola Magic in the NBA G League draft. This selection indicated continued interest from NBA organizations in his potential as a developing player. Later that year, on December 3, 2025, Smith signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets. He was subsequently waived by the Rockets on January 3, 2026, without appearing in a game for the team.
On March 1, 2026, Smith signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks, joining their roster while continuing to develop with the Texas Legends, their NBA G League affiliate. This move represented a fresh start and an opportunity to prove himself with a new organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Tyler Smith plays the power forward position at 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) and weighs 224 pounds (102 kilograms). His size and length allow him to play effectively around the basket while also being capable of stepping out to defend multiple positions. Smith has shown particular promise as a rebounder and rim protector, averaging strong numbers in those categories during his time in OTE. His ability to block shots and create turnovers demonstrated his potential as a two-way player capable of impacting games on both ends of the floor.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2024 NBA Cup championship stands as Smith’s most significant professional achievement to date. Being part of a championship team during his rookie season provided him with invaluable experience in high-pressure situations. Additionally, his selection to the NBA G League Next Up Game in 2024 recognized his performance at the G League level and validated his growth as a professional player.
Tyler Smith Career Wins and Achievements
Throughout his professional career spanning from 2021 to the present, Smith has accumulated notable accomplishments across multiple leagues and competitions. His journey from high school standout to professional player has included championship success and recognition from league officials.
NBA and NBA G League Highlights
Smith’s most prestigious achievement is winning the NBA Cup championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024. This team victory provided him with a championship ring and experience competing in meaningful late-season games. Additionally, his selection to the NBA G League Next Up Game in 2024 recognized his standout play at the G League level while assigned to the Wisconsin Herd. During his OTE career, Smith earned Second Team All-OTE honors in 2023 after his impressive statistical season with Cold Hearts.
Other Notable Performances
Before turning professional, Smith was recognized as a five-star recruit and top-20 prospect nationally during his high school career at George Bush High School. His consistent development trajectory from high school through OTE, NBA G League Ignite, and into the NBA demonstrated his ability to compete at increasingly higher levels.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented both challenges and opportunities for Smith. Following his rookie campaign with Milwaukee, he experienced roster transitions that tested his resilience as a professional. His time with the Wisconsin Herd during the 2024-25 season provided continued development opportunities in the G League, where he worked on refining his skills and establishing consistency.
After being waived by Milwaukee in October 2025, Smith demonstrated persistence by securing a spot with the Osceola Magic through the G League draft. His subsequent signing with the Houston Rockets on a two-way contract indicated ongoing interest from NBA teams in his potential, though he was unable to appear in a game for Houston before being waived in early 2026.
Smith’s move to the Dallas Mavericks in March 2026 represented a new chapter in his career. Joining an organization with championship aspirations provided him with an opportunity to contribute in a winning environment while continuing his development with the Texas Legends. The two-way contract structure allowed him to split time between the NBA and G League, maintaining his pathway to consistent NBA minutes while working toward a more permanent roster spot.