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With the help of his NBA teammates, Jabari Smith Jr. saw his jersey retired in a ceremony at Sandy Creek High.
Entering his fourth season in the NBA after he was drafted #3 overall in the 2022 draft by the Houston Rockets, Smith piled up a mile-long list of accolades while at Sandy Creek. His resume includes McDonalds All American, Gatorade Georgia Player Of the Year, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Georgia Mr. Basketball. He graduated as the school’s all-time leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker before playing one season at Auburn University.
With the Rockets in town to play the Atlanta Hawks in a preseason game, all of his teammates and coaches came along for the ride to support him. Smith was also cheered on by scores of former teammates, coaches, teachers, and administrators from along his journey.
“You’ve got a lot of people that love you,” said Sandy Creek coach Jon-Michael Nickerson.
Nickerson came to Sandy Creek in 2017, Smith’s freshman year. They grew together as the program reached new heights.
“It was such an honor to coach you for four years. The honor of a lifetime,” said Nickerson. “Jabari has helped me become more grateful as a human and to appreciate each day of being present in the moment.”
Nickerson praised Smith’s competitive fire and humble determination.
“I can honestly say Jabari, not once, ever had a bad practice or game where he wasn’t competing with intention,” said Nickerson. “He was always competing in the moment. He wasn’t thinking about the future.”
In the current landscape of basketball recruiting where many top talents transfer out to private powerhouses, Smith stayed loyal and played all four years in Tyrone.
“To be around true greatness and excellence in a public school setting these days is extremely rare,” said Nickerson. “In an era of the game where the best players in the country are not finishing at their schools they are zoned for, he is one of the few exceptions. He genuinely enjoyed being in the hallway with friends he grew up with.”
Principal Tosha Oliver thanked Smith for the example he sets for all the current and future Patriots.
“We gather to celebrate not just an outstanding athlete but an extraordinary individual; someone whose journey from these halls has inspired our students, strengthened our community, and reflected the very best of who we truly are,” said Oliver. “He has shown what happens when talent meets hard work, when focus meets faith, and when opportunity meets preparation.”
Oliver noted that Smith has continued to give back, hosting a local back-to-school supply drive yearly. “His name has become synonymous with excellence, humility, and purpose.”
An emotional Smith expressed his pride for the honor and gratefulness that so many came to cheer him on.
“It means the world to see everybody here celebrating me,” he said.
He thanked his Rockets teammates for joining him on the trip.
“You don’t know how much this means to me to see y’all here in Tyrone, Georgia.”
He reflected on the highs and lows of playing for the Patriots. He had offers to leave, but he believed in Coach Nickerson and his teammates.
“I saw the vision Coach Nick had, what he wanted to change the program into, and he has,” said Smith. “To see that is a blessing.”
Smith left his adoring fans and family with simple words of thanks.
“I appreciate y’all. I love y’all.”
State Representative Derrick Jackson presented him with a proclamation declaring it Jabari Smith Jr. Day.
“October 15, 2025 will always be Jabari Smith Jr Day,” said Jackson. “Keep shining. Keep putting in that work.”
The crowd, filled with many young fans, chanted “Jabari” throughout, swelling when they dropped the curtain to show the “Smith 10” banner to forever hang in the school gym.
“Today as we raise his jersey high, we celebrate more than a number or a name, we will celebrate a legacy of excellence, leadership, and love for the community,” said Principal Oliver. “Jabari, thank you so much for reminding us that ‘Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot.’”
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