It’s easy to look at successful sports stars and overlook the fact that they have dealt with tragedy and heartbreak like the rest of us. A great example of this can be seen with Dorian Finney-Smith, who has spent almost a decade in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets but has needed to do so without his father at his side for guidance and support.

What Happened to Finney-Smith’s Father?

Although Finney-Smith has enjoyed a successful basketball career, his life wasn’t always so positive. When he was a toddler, his father Elbert Smith Jr. was found guilty of second-degree murder, malicious wounding, and commission of a firearm during an incident that saw Willie Anderson II shot to death and was subsequently sentenced to a staggering 44 years in prison.

The Release of Elbert Smith Jr.

One of the most interesting things about this story is that the Mavericks took an active approach to helping Finney-Smith’s pursuit of his father’s release from prison. Having been successful in this goal, Elbert was given the green light for release by the Virginia Parole Board in July 2023 and was released in December.

However, the 52-year-old has only just managed to watch Dorian play in person recently, making his first courtside appearance as the Nets took on the Detroit Pistons. Finney-Smith noted it was “exciting” and there’s an argument to be made that it negatively impacted his performance, as he only managed to contribute with 2 points, despite averaging 9 over the season. Nevertheless, this is a great moment for Finney-Smith, who will be hoping that his father can make up for lost time over the coming years.