Nolan Smith

EXCLUSIVE
  • Associate Head Coach, Duke University Men's Basketball
  • Member, Teamworks Basketball Leadership Committee
  • George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award Honoree
  • Cancer Patient Advocate

Duke University’s Division 1 Men’s Basketball Coach Nolan Smith is known as “The People’s Champ.” After leading the Duke University Blue Devils to a national championship, he played in the NBA before returning home to Duke University to serve as an Assistant Coach for Duke University Men’s Basketball. Smith was one of 11 from Division I basketball named to the Teamworks Basketball Leadership Committee. The committee, comprised of the most forward-thinking Teamworks’ partners from around the country, will converge to help shape the future of athlete engagement and drive the development of best practices throughout the athletics industry. Smith’s compelling storytelling, combined with his passion for mentorship and community engagement, makes him an engaging and motivating speaker, capable of inspiring audiences across various fields.

Smith is the North Carolina state ambassador for Teen Cancer America, an organization designed to help bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care, serving alongside celebrities such as The Band Perry, Eddie Vedder, and Joan Jett. He has also been named a George H.W. Bush Points of Light Inspiration honoree. Smith’s extensive community contributions, including his work with youth programs and charitable initiatives, enrich his speeches with firsthand experiences of leadership, empathy, and social impact, making him a compelling and relatable speaker.

 

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News Profile Interview - Nolan Smith: From All-American to Coach | WNCN [2:39] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Nolan Smith
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Team Building

Whether on the court or in business, Coach NOLAN SMITH discusses the importance of building a strong team. He shares his insights into how to build a team, what to look for in terms of how to support and complement your team, and how to lead and motivate to greatness.  ...

Whether on the court or in business, Coach NOLAN SMITH discusses the importance of building a strong team. He shares his insights into how to build a team, what to look for in terms of how to support and complement your team, and how to lead and motivate to greatness. 

Resiliency

NOLAN SMITH's inspiring talk on resilience and the ability to bounce back will not only motivate audiences, but help them to understand that resiliency allows for an individual to be able to learn about themselves, become more solution-oriented, and ready to face their next challenge head on.  ...

NOLAN SMITH's inspiring talk on resilience and the ability to bounce back will not only motivate audiences, but help them to understand that resiliency allows for an individual to be able to learn about themselves, become more solution-oriented, and ready to face their next challenge head on. 

Leadership

NOLAN SMITH draws on his experience as a Division 1 Basketball coach, community leader and motivation expert, offering essential tips to help you find your voice as a leader, motivate your team, and how to communicate most effectively.  ...

NOLAN SMITH draws on his experience as a Division 1 Basketball coach, community leader and motivation expert, offering essential tips to help you find your voice as a leader, motivate your team, and how to communicate most effectively. 

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Biography

Nolan Smith is a Division 1 Men’s Basketball Coach at Duke University, community leader and motivational speaker. Known as “The People’s Champ” Nolan, Nolan is a true Champion on and off the court. Having led the Duke University Blue Devils to a national championship in 2010, he went on to play in the NBA before returning home to Duke University to serve as an Assistant Coach for Duke University Men’s Basketball. 

In the summer of 2016, Smith was named the North Carolina state ambassador for Teen Cancer America. TCA is an organization designed to help bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care. Smith serves as an ambassador alongside celebrities such as The Band Perry, Eddie Vedder and Joan Jett for the organization that was founded by rock icons Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who.

In addition to his work with TCA, Smith continues to use his platform in basketball for the benefit of others. Active for quite some time in the Durham community in raising awareness of social justice issues, Smith was named a George H.W. Bush Points of Light Inspiration honoree in the summer of 2020. He was also recognized as the Tar Heel of Month in October 2020 by the Raleigh News & Observer, awarded to a citizen that has made significant contributions to North Carolina and the region.

In July 2018, Smith was one of 11 from Division I basketball named to the Teamworks Basketball Leadership Committee. The committee, comprised of the most forward-thinking Teamworks’ partners from around the country, will converge to help shape the future of athlete engagement and drive the development of best practices throughout the athletics industry.