Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young won the 2024 Sekou Smith award, an honor bestowed upon the player who “best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their interactions with the media.”
He also officially ends the 2024-25 regular season as the league leader in assists.
Young has led the NBA in total assists twice before, but this is his first time leading in the official per-game capacity.
“You can't get an assist without your teammates,” Young told Bob Rathbun during the Hawks’ regular-season finale against the Orlando Magic on April 13. “I appreciate it. Obviously, that’s something I wanted to do since I’ve gotten into the league, and I’ve been close plenty of times that, I guess I can say, I led it this year.”
Young’s 11.6 APG are the most since Russell Westbrook (11.7) in 2020-21. Young is the first Hawks player in franchise history to lead the league, adding another line to an already historic career.
Trae Young opens up about Sekou Smith Award
Young sent a brief “thank you” message on X following the Hawks’ official announcement that he had won the Sekou Smith Award.
He said much more during the game.
“It’s, obviously, a humbling honor to get that. Obviously. Sekou meant a lot in the media world and sports in general. So that’s – especially here in Atlanta – so I know what he means to this city, and it’s definitely an honor to be able to represent it this year. And I’ve had some teammates that were really deserving in previous years that have gotten it, so I’m glad I was able to get it this year.”
Hawks VP of basketball communications Jon Steinberg released a statement on Young that underscores the measures he has taken to develop as a leader on and off the court.
“There were again multiple exemplary candidates this season, and Trae is a very deserving recipient,” Steinberg said via the Hawks website on April 12. “He understands the power of his words and embraces his responsibility to accommodate the media that covers the Hawks and the NBA. Trae makes himself available after big wins and tough losses, home and road, and routinely following practices and shootarounds.”
Young joins former teammates Bogdan Bogdanovic, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter and current teammate Clint Capela in winning the award, which is named after former media member Sekou Smith, who died from COVID-19 in January 2021.
Young also took advantage when given the opportunity to stump for teammates Dyson Daniels and Zaccharie Risacher for season awards.
He has touted Daniels for DPOY and MIP and Risacher for ROTY.
“I think we got the guys that should win all 3 of those awards,” Young said. “But, obviously, I ain’t got a vote. We have other people that we have to leave that up to. But these guys are definitely deserving of everything that they should get this year.”
Both players face uphill climbs to take home the hardware. But both should also be named to an All-League team for their efforts. The Hawks will face the Magic in Orlando on Tuesday for their first chance to advance to the playoffs.