Dru Smith (born December 30, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A native of Evansville, Indiana, Smith played high school basketball at F.J. Reitz High School and began his college career in his hometown at the University of Evansville before transferring to the University of Missouri. After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Smith worked his way into the NBA through the NBA G League and two-way contracts with the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets. He currently wears No. 12 for Miami.

Early life and high school career

Smith was born in Evansville on December 30, 1997, and attended F.J. Reitz High School on the city’s west side.

At Reitz, Smith developed into one of the top basketball players in southwestern Indiana. As a junior during the 2014–15 season, he averaged 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while serving as the Panthers’ starting point guard.

That Reitz team finished 29–2 and advanced to the 2015 IHSAA Class 4A state championship game.

Smith became Reitz’s leading player during his senior season, averaging 20.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as the Panthers finished 22–5.

Rather than leaving Evansville for college, Smith chose to remain home and play for the University of Evansville Purple Aces.

University of Evansville

Smith joined the University of Evansville for the 2016–17 season.

As a freshman, he appeared in 28 games and made eight starts, averaging 5.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. His performance earned him a place on the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team.

Smith made a significant jump during his sophomore season.

In 2017–18, he started all 22 games in which he appeared and averaged 13.7 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

He was also exceptionally efficient, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 48.2 percent from three-point range. Smith led the Missouri Valley Conference in both steals per game and three-point shooting percentage and was named to the MVC Most Improved Team.

His two seasons with the Purple Aces gave Smith an unusual distinction among Evansville basketball players: he had gone from playing high school basketball at Reitz to Division I college basketball without leaving his hometown.

Following his sophomore season, Smith decided to transfer to the University of Missouri.

Missouri

Because of NCAA transfer rules then in effect, Smith sat out the 2018–19 season before becoming eligible to play for Missouri.

He immediately became one of the Tigers’ most important players.

During the 2019–20 season, Smith started all 31 games and averaged 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He led Missouri in scoring, assists and steals and led the entire Southeastern Conference with 64 steals.

Smith’s senior season established him as one of the SEC’s top guards.

In 2020–21, he averaged 14.1 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, helping Missouri reach the NCAA Tournament. He led the SEC in steals for a second consecutive season.

Smith was named First-Team All-SEC by the conference’s coaches, Second-Team All-SEC by the Associated Press and was selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team. He became the first Missouri player ever selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team.

He was also named SEC Player of the Week three times during the season.

Smith completed his college career having appeared in 107 games with 87 starts between Evansville and Missouri, averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

Professional career

Smith was not selected in the 2021 NBA Draft.

He signed with the Miami Heat on September 10, 2021, but was waived before the beginning of the regular season. He subsequently joined Miami’s NBA G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, beginning the process of earning his way into the NBA.

Smith returned to Miami in 2022 and eventually received a two-way contract with the Heat.

He made his NBA debut during the 2022–23 season, becoming an NBA player after having gone undrafted the previous year.

Miami waived Smith in December 2022, and in January 2023 he signed a two-way contract with the Brooklyn Nets. He also spent time with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.

Smith returned to the Heat on a two-way contract in July 2023 and earned a standard NBA contract in October 2023.

Injuries and return to Miami

Smith’s early NBA career was interrupted by two significant injuries.

During the 2023–24 season, he suffered a serious knee injury after falling from the elevated court at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The injury ended his season.

Miami eventually waived Smith in March 2024, but the organization brought him back on another two-way contract in July.

Smith returned to the court during the 2024–25 season and began earning a larger role before suffering another season-ending injury.

Despite the setbacks, Miami again retained Smith.

On August 16, 2025, Smith signed a new standard NBA contract with the Heat, completing another comeback and securing a regular roster position.

2025–26 season

Smith established himself as a regular member of Miami’s rotation during the 2025–26 NBA season.

Known particularly for his perimeter defense, ability to create turnovers and willingness to play multiple guard roles, Smith received the most extensive NBA playing time of his career.

He finished the season averaging approximately 5.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game for Miami.

Smith remains under contract with the Miami Heat and is listed by the NBA as a 6-foot-2, 203-pound guard wearing No. 12.

Evansville connections

Smith’s basketball career is closely tied to Evansville.

He was born and raised in the city, starred at Reitz High School, helped the Panthers reach the Class 4A state championship game and then remained in Evansville to begin his Division I career at the University of Evansville.

His progression from Reitz to the Purple Aces, Missouri and eventually the NBA made him one of the relatively small number of Evansville high school basketball players to reach the NBA.

Smith’s path to the league was also unconventional. He was not selected in the NBA Draft and spent time in the G League and on multiple two-way contracts before securing a standard NBA roster spot with Miami.

As of 2026, Smith continues his professional career with the Miami Heat.