Utah Prep names longtime NBA assistant Keith Smart new head coach

Utah Prep announced on Monday evening that it has named Keith Smart, a former head coach and longtime assistant in the NBA, as its new head basketball coach.

Best known by most for his game-winning shot that won Indiana the 1987 NCAA Championship, Smart was a second-round NBA Draft pick in 1988. He started his coaching career in 1997. He’s held head coaching jobs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings and has also made stops as an assistant for the Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks.

Most recently, Smart was an assistant at Arkansas. He’ll now head to Hurricane and coach a roster that’s headlined by BYU Five-Star Plus+ small forward signee AJ Dybantsa, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle.

“I’m honored to join Utah Prep Academy,” Smart said in a press release announcing the hire. “This is a program that has grown to unprecedented prominence in such a short period of time. I’m excited to build on the great work that’s already been done and help these young men achieve their goals both on and off the court.”

“Keith Smart is a game-changer,” Dybantsa said in the release. “Having someone with his experience and knowledge is incredible. I’m excited to learn from him and grow as a player and a person. This is going to be a special season.”

The 2024-25 season has seen Utah Prep head to multiple events and take on other top programs around the nation. Over the weekend, it went 2-0 at the Iverson Classic thanks to 72 combined points from Dybantsa.

As of Jan. 13, Utah Prep ranks as the No. 14 team in the nation and top-ranked team in Utah, according to the On3 Composite Rankings. It’s scheduled to take on Montverde Academy (Fla.) in a nationally-ranked clash this weekend.

Smart will take over for Justin Yamzon, who parted ways with the school earlier this month.