By: Laila Dieng
KENNESAW, Ga. — When Perry Smith Jr. decided to transfer to Kennesaw State, he wasn't searching for a fresh start so much as a fit. The senior forward saw the combination he wanted: a competitive basketball environment, a strong academic setting and a coaching staff he trusted.
At 6-foot-8 and 241 pounds, Smith arrived at KSU after a productive season at North Carolina Central. But his basketball journey began long before he became a Division I athlete. He was 13 when he first recognized that the game was more than a hobby. That year, he moved away from home to pursue basketball at a higher level, a transition that forced him to grow up quickly, as he would leave Augusta to play for Legacy Early Academy in Greenville, S.C.
"That's when it became serious," he said. "Moving away at that age taught me discipline early."
Smith credits his family as the foundation for his motivation. He describes his background as humble and says those early experiences continue to push him to succeed.
"My family motivates me to go harder," he said. "I want to make a way for them."
One moment that solidified his confidence came last season, when he scored 24 points against Norfolk State at NCCU. He considers that performance a turning point.
"That game made me realize it was really happening for me," he said.
Now entering his senior year, Smith said the chemistry within Kennesaw State's roster stands out. He believes the team's connection off the court will translate into success on it.
"I think we have a special bond," he said. "We get along really well, and that contributes to winning. It's a unique group."
Smith also understands the balance required of college athletes. What once felt overwhelming as a freshman has turned into a routine he's learned to manage.
"As a freshman, balancing everything can be hard," he said. "But as a senior, you have a routine. You get your work done, go to practice, recover and do it all again."
He also hopes to break down assumptions about student-athletes, particularly the belief that they stay isolated or unapproachable.
"People think athletes don't interact with others, but I can be cool with anybody," he said. "Sometimes people just don't talk because they assume I won't talk back."
On the court, Smith describes his playing style as physical and aggressive.
"I play like a dog," he said. "Physical, aggressive, skilled — that's my game."
While he has always been confident in his shooting, Smith said he has emphasized that part of his game even more this offseason to expand his versatility.
"I've always been able to shoot, but this year I've been sharpening it," he said. "I want to be able to stretch the floor when needed."
When pressure builds, Smith leans on values shaped by his upbringing. He often thinks about his family before big games or during difficult stretches of the season. He also lives by a quote that guides him both on and off the court: "When you're up against a trouble, meet it squarely face to face."
"That's how I handle adversity," he said. "You can't run from problems — not in basketball and not in life."
At Kennesaw State, Smith said he expects to be a versatile contributor who can defend, score and bring physicality in the paint. Most importantly, he wants to provide whatever the team needs.
"My role is to play hard, be an enforcer, stretch the floor when needed and give the team whatever it needs," he said.
Smith said he doesn't have one specific teammate who inspires him. Instead, he draws motivation from the entire group.
"Everybody inspires me equally," he said. "We all have our own stuff going on, but we come together and work. That's what makes our group unique."
As he looks ahead, Smith hopes to leave a legacy built on effort, toughness and unselfishness — traits he believes reflect head coach Antoine Pettway's vision for the program.
"I want to leave a tradition of hard-playing guys who buy into the system," he said. "I came from a situation where I was scoring 20 a game, but here I'm buying into winning as a team. That's the tradition I want to continue."
For Smith, Kennesaw State represents more than a new program. It is the next step in a journey shaped by discipline, family and a commitment to facing challenges head-on.
So far, it's been a successful start for Smith... Through four games in the 2025–26 season, he has averaged 7.5 points per game. He's been perfect on the floor making all nine of his field-goal attempts (100%) and is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game.
