Dorian Finney-Smith, once a key player for the Brooklyn Nets, has now found himself with the Los Angeles Lakers. After going undrafted in 2016, he caught the attention of the Dallas Mavericks, who signed him to showcase his talents. During his time with the Mavs, he grew into a reliable 3-and-D player with solid rebounding and defensive skills. In 2023, he was part of a major trade deal with the Nets that included future draft picks in exchange for Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris.

In the 2022-2023 season, he averaged 8.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, showing his all-around game. Known for his ability to stretch the floor and guard multiple positions, he quickly became an asset to the Nets. But now, the trade sends him to L.A., with Shake Milton joining the Nets in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and a few second-round picks.

Finney-Smith’s departure signals another shift for Brooklyn. It’ll be interesting to see how the Lakers integrate him into their system. If you ask me, it’s going to be an exciting fit in L.A. where defense and versatility are always in demand. But today we’ll be taking a look at his personal life.

What is Dorian Finney-Smith’s nationality?

Dorian Finney-Smith was born on May 4, 1993, in Portsmouth, Virginia. His parents, Desiree and Elbert Smith Jr., are both American nationals of African-American descent. Which makes DFS American. Smith credits his mom, Desiree, as his biggest inspiration. Raising him and his five siblings as a single mother, she’s always been fiery and unapologetically passionate.

In Dorian’s words, “My mom used to have this saying, ‘it don’t matter, we gonna always end up on top.’ That was the mentality I always had,” he shared with Curtis Rowser III of Slam.com. Clearly, her lessons have stuck with Finney-Smith! According to celebs.infoseemedia.com he is a Christian.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s dad, Elbert Smith Jr., wasn’t part of his life for a long time, serving 28 years behind bars. The reason? In 1995, Smith and Diefen McGann tried to collect a debt from Willie Anderson II. A fight broke out, and McGann ended up shooting and killing Anderson. Both men were charged with first-degree murder.

The Mavs played a huge role in helping Dorian get his father out—conditional freedom—from the Virginia Parole Board, and he’s always been thankful for that support. Even after the trade, Dorian still deeply loves his old team.

Which university did Dorian Finney-Smith attend before getting drafted into the NBA?

Back in September 2010, Smith made a big decision by committing to Virginia Tech, and by December, he sealed the deal by signing a National Letter of Intent. As a freshman during the 2011-12 season, he wasted no time making an impression. Smith played in all 33 games, starting 30 of them, and showcased his versatility on the court. He averaged 6.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, earning a well-deserved spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. One of his standout moments came in a nail-biter against Boston College, where he dropped 17 points to help secure a thrilling 66-65 victory.

In 2012, Smith decided to transfer to Florida, but NCAA rules meant he had to sit out the following season. However, he used that time wisely, and when he hit the court for the Gators in the 2013-14 season, he made it count.

As a sophomore, Smith truly found his stride. He was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year, becoming just the second player in Florida history to earn the honor. Dominating the boards, he led the team in rebounds, pulling down 247 total and averaging 6.7 per game. His standout performance? A jaw-dropping 22 points and 15 rebounds in a dramatic overtime win against Arkansas. By the end of the season, Smith was a key contributor, averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

As a junior in 2014-15, Smith earned second-team All-SEC honors and led the team in scoring (13.1 points), rebounding (6.2), and three-point shooting (42.6%).He had a career-high 25 points in a win over Jacksonville, including a 5-for-7 performance from three-point range.

In his senior year (2015-16), Smith kept up his strong play, earning second-team All-SEC honors and third-team All-SEC from the Associated Press. He finished the season as Florida’s leading scorer (14.7 points) and top rebounder (8.3). By the end of his college career, Dorian Finney-Smith had accumulated 1,220 points, ranking 36th in school history—an impressive feat for a player who transferred midway through his college tenure!

Why didn’t Dorian Finney-Smith take the usual route of a private school?

A lot of top prospects go the private or prep school route, but Smith had different plans. He chose to stay at his local public school, I.C. Norcom High School, in Portsmouth, Virginia.

For Dorian, it wasn’t just about achieving his own success—it was about helping his friends and teammates get noticed, too. “I just wanted everybody to eat,” he had said to Slam.com. “If you’re good enough, they’re gonna find you.” Dorian wasn’t influenced by anyone to leave his city.

In high school, he was a standout. As a junior in 2009–10, Dorian averaged 19.7 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks per game. His senior year, he didn’t slow down, putting up 18 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. He led Norcom to back-to-back state championships, along with Eastern Region and District titles.

Dorian Finney-Smith’s journey from a public high school standout to a key NBA player is a testament to his hard work, resilience, and unwavering loyalty to his roots—a legacy that continues to inspire both on and off the court.