Dorian Finney-Smith

Dorian Finney-Smith, born on May 4, 1993, in Portsmouth, Virginia, began his basketball journey with notable success in high school, leading I. C. Norcom High School to back-to-back Group AAA state championships. He was recognized as a two-time VHSL Class AAA Player of the Year. His collegiate career started at Virginia Tech in 2011, where he played in all 33 games, making 30 starts, and earned a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. After transferring to the University of Florida in 2012, Finney-Smith sat out a year due to NCAA transfer regulations. He then emerged as a key player for the Florida Gators, being named SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2014 and subsequently earning Second-team All-SEC honors in both 2015 and 2016. He distinguished himself as Florida’s leading scorer and rebounder in multiple seasons, becoming the first Florida player to surpass 1,000 career points after transferring mid-tenure.

Despite his collegiate achievements, Finney-Smith went undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks on July 8, 2016, marking the beginning of his professional career. He quickly made an impact, securing an opening-night roster spot and making his first career start just weeks into the 2016-17 season. Over seven seasons with the Mavericks, he developed into a full-time starter by 2019, known for his ‘3-and-D’ skill set. A significant milestone arrived on February 12, 2022, when he signed a four-year, $52 million veteran extension with the Mavericks, reflecting his growing value to the team. He played a crucial role in the Mavericks reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2022, showcasing career-high performances in points and three-pointers during the playoffs.

Finney-Smith’s career saw further transitions, being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in February 2023, and then to the Los Angeles Lakers in December 2024. With the Lakers, he became a valuable ‘3-and-D’ player, contributing to their playoff success before signing a four-year, $53 million contract with the Houston Rockets in July 2025. After one season with the Rockets, he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets on July 6, 2026, alongside three second-round picks. Throughout his career, Finney-Smith has consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability, evolving from an undrafted player to a respected presence in the NBA.