Dorian Finney-Smith Bio
Dorian Lawrence Finney-Smith is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a power forward and small forward for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, Finney-Smith has built a reputation as a versatile two-way player throughout his NBA career. After beginning his professional journey with the Dallas Mavericks in 2016, he spent seven seasons developing into a reliable three-and-D specialist before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2023. His career path continued with a stint at the Los Angeles Lakers in late 2024 before joining the Houston Rockets in July 2025 on a four-year contract.
Early Life and Background
Dorian Finney-Smith was born on May 4, 1993, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to parents Elbert Smith and Desiree Finney-Henderson. He grew up in the area with several siblings, including three who pursued collegiate athletics. His brother Ben Finney played for the Old Dominion Monarchs, Sha-Kilya Finney competed for the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks, and Monnazjea Finney-Smith played for the VCU Rams. Finney-Smith was nicknamed “Doe-Doe” after his paternal grandmother, Doris.
His childhood was marked by significant hardship. In 1996, his father Elbert was sentenced to 44 years in prison for his involvement in a 1995 murder, though he was released in 2024. More tragically, on September 13, 2008, Finney-Smith watched his older brother Ra-Shawn Finney get fatally shot seven times following a confrontation at a house party in Chesapeake, Virginia. Finney-Smith honors his brother’s memory with a tattoo across his chest.
Despite these challenges, Finney-Smith found solace and purpose in basketball from an early age, channeling his energy into developing his skills on the court.
Path to Professional Basketball
Finney-Smith attended I. C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, where he emerged as a dominant player. As a junior during the 2009-10 season, he averaged 19.7 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks per game. His senior year proved even more impressive, as he averaged 18 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game while leading the school to consecutive Group AAA state championships. He recorded a standout performance in the state championship game, finishing with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks.
Finney-Smith concluded his high school career as a two-time VHSL Class AAA Player of the Year and earned first-team all-state, all-region, All-Tidewater, and all-district honors. He was named All-Tidewater Player of the Year as a junior and co-player of the year as a senior. His stellar high school performance earned him a scholarship offer from Virginia Tech, where he committed in September 2010 and signed his National Letter of Intent in December of that year.
Dorian Finney-Smith Career
College Career (2011–2016)
Finney-Smith began his college basketball journey at Virginia Tech during the 2011-12 season. He played in all 33 games as a freshman, making 30 starts, and averaged 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. His strong performance earned him a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. He scored a season-high 17 points in a narrow 66-65 victory over Boston College.
In June 2012, Finney-Smith transferred to the University of Florida, where he was forced to sit out the 2012-13 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. Upon his return in 2013-14, he made an immediate impact as a sophomore. He was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year, becoming just the second Florida player to win the award after Chris Richard in 2007. He led the team in rebounds with 247 total and a 6.7 per-game average, and he recorded his first career 20/15 performance with a personal-best 22 points in an overtime victory over Arkansas.
Finney-Smith continued his upward trajectory as a junior in 2014-15, earning second-team All-SEC honors. He led Florida in scoring (13.1 points per game), rebounds (6.2 per game), and three-point shooting (.426 percentage). He scored a career-high 25 points against Jacksonville, including an impressive 5-for-7 performance from three-point range. As a senior in 2015-16, he repeated as second-team All-SEC and became Florida’s leading scorer for the second consecutive season (14.7 points per game) and top rebounder for the third straight year (8.3 per game). He became the first Florida player to join the 1,000-point club after transferring to the school, finishing his Gators career with 1,220 points, ranking 36th in school history.
Dallas Mavericks Era (2016–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, Finney-Smith signed with the Dallas Mavericks on July 8, 2016, and joined the team for NBA Summer League play. He secured an opening-night roster spot after impressing the coaching staff during training camp and preseason. Though he played limited minutes in his first five games, his opportunity came on November 6, 2016, when he played 31 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks and recorded five points, three rebounds, three steals, and one block in an 86-75 victory. Two days later, he made his first career start, scoring five points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Finney-Smith faced significant adversity during the 2017-18 season when he missed 51 consecutive games and 57 overall due to left knee quadriceps tendinitis. He returned on March 10, 2018, contributing seven points in 18 minutes. The following seasons saw him establish himself as a valuable rotation player. On July 11, 2019, he re-signed with the Mavericks on a three-year, $12 million contract.
His career continued to ascend during the 2019-20 season when he posted a then-career-high 22 points against the San Antonio Spurs in November. He set a career high with 16 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings in August 2020 and followed that with a career-high 27 points and six three-pointers made in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Mavericks qualified for the playoffs that season, and Finney-Smith made his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers (2023–2025)
On February 6, 2023, Finney-Smith was traded to the Brooklyn Nets alongside Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and second-round picks in exchange for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris. His tenure with the Nets lasted just under two seasons before he was traded again.
On December 29, 2024, Finney-Smith was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Shake Milton in exchange for Maxwell Lewis, D’Angelo Russell, and three future second-round picks. He proved to be a valuable contributor as a three-and-D player, helping the Lakers secure the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. During the 2024-25 season, Finney-Smith made 43 appearances with 20 starts, averaging 7.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He underwent surgery on June 12, 2025, to repair a lingering ankle injury. Later that month, he opted out of his $15.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season to become an unrestricted free agent.
Houston Rockets (2025–Present)
On July 7, 2025, Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Houston Rockets. The deal represents the largest and most significant contract of his career, reflecting his value as an experienced two-way player in the NBA. The Rockets are counting on his defensive versatility, three-point shooting, and veteran leadership as they continue their rebuilding efforts.
Driving Style and Strengths
Finney-Smith has carved out a niche in the NBA as a reliable three-and-D player. His 6-foot-7 frame allows him to defend multiple positions, from shooting guards to power forwards. He has developed a consistent three-point shot, making him a valuable floor spacer for his teams. His rebounding ability from the forward position adds another dimension to his game, and he is known for his high basketball IQ and willingness to accept any role the team needs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Finney-Smith has reached several notable milestones. He played a crucial role in the Mavericks’ run to the Western Conference Finals in 2022, including a playoff career-high 24 points with eight three-pointers and eight rebounds in a Game 4 victory over the Phoenix Suns. That same series, he recorded 23 points and six rebounds in Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. He scored a career-high 28 points on March 30, 2022, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On February 12, 2022, he signed a four-year, $52 million extension with Dallas, the first major contract of his career.
Dorian Finney-Smith Career Highlights
Finney-Smith has established himself as a durable and consistent NBA contributor over nine professional seasons. His journey from an undrafted rookie to a valued veteran with multiple playoff appearances showcases his development and resilience.
NBA Achievements
His most significant NBA accomplishment came during the 2021-22 season when the Mavericks reached the Western Conference Finals. Finney-Smith’s clutch performances, including his 24-point effort against Phoenix in the semifinals, proved instrumental in the team’s playoff success. He has appeared in multiple playoff series throughout his career and has consistently elevated his game when the stakes are highest.
College Honors
Prior to his NBA career, Finney-Smith earned recognition as a standout college player. He was named SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2014 during his sole season in that role at Florida. He earned second-team All-SEC honors in both 2015 and 2016, and he was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team during his time at Virginia Tech in 2012.
Dorian Finney-Smith Family
Family Background and Personal Challenges
Finney-Smith was born to Elbert Smith and Desiree Finney-Henderson in Portsmouth, Virginia. His upbringing was shaped by significant family challenges, including his father’s incarceration for 28 years following a murder conviction. His mother raised him alongside five other siblings, three of whom pursued collegiate athletics. The loss of his older brother Ra-Shawn Finney in 2008 profoundly impacted his life, and he honors his memory through a tattoo on his chest.
Personal Life
Off the court, Finney-Smith became a father at the age of 16 when he welcomed his daughter in 2009. He later had two sons. His nickname “Doe-Doe” originated from his paternal grandmother Doris and has remained with him throughout his basketball career. Finney-Smith is known for his strong family values and often credits his mother and siblings for supporting his journey.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a new chapter in Finney-Smith’s career as he joins the Houston Rockets on a four-year, $53 million contract. After spending the previous season with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he contributed to their playoff run as a starter in 20 of 43 games, he brings experience and versatility to a young Rockets team. His ankle surgery in June 2025 addressed a lingering injury issue, and he is expected to be ready for training camp. The Rockets are building around promising young talent and veteran leadership, making Finney-Smith an important addition as both a player and mentor. His ability to space the floor with his three-point shooting and defend multiple positions fits well with Houston’s defensive-oriented system under their current coaching staff.