The Atlanta Hawks have announced tributes to NBA reporter Sekou Smith, who tragically died last month following a bout with the coronavirus.
The beloved scribe, who at one time covered the Hawks for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, was only 48.
To honor Smith, the Hawk have renamed their press room, commissioned a new team award, and launched an internship program -- all in Smith's name.
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Smith, who was survived by his wife and three children, worked as a traditional beat reporter for several years before transitioning to national platforms on NBA TV and the league's digital outlets.
The internship will be awarded to journalism students from the historically black Southwestern Athletic Conference. Smith was an alum of longtime SWAC member Jackson State.
The media award will be given annually to an Atlanta Hawks player who best exemplifies professionalism and integrity in dealing with reporters, while the press room itself will be called the Sekou Smith Press Room.
The Hawks said the tributes were conceived out of "respect to his dedication to journalism, building relationships and mentoring young journalists."
Smith's passing was met with great sadness from the basketball and media communities.
ESPN NBA reporter Rachel Nichols delivered an emotional and passionate on-air tribute in which she criticized the handling of the virus.