The Atlanta Hawks announced on Thursday that their center, Clint Capela, has been selected as the recipient of the 2022-23 Sekou Smith Award. This annual award is given to the player on the Hawks’ roster who best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their interactions with the media. Capela was chosen through a vote by a select local media panel.
During the season, Capela has consistently demonstrated his willingness to engage with the media, providing thoughtful and candid responses to questions. He has respected the media’s role in covering the team and sharing stories with fans. The Hawks’ Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, Garin Narain, acknowledged many deserving candidates this year, but ultimately, Capela stood out as the best choice for the award.
Capela will be recognized tonight during a pregame presentation that will include members of Smith’s family. Smith, a beloved member of the NBA community, passed away unexpectedly in January 2021. In his memory, the Hawks named the media workroom at State Farm Arena after him and launched an annual Hawks-NBA Summer League internship in his name.
Smith had an illustrious career as a reporter and analyst, covering the Hawks for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution from 2005-09 before joining NBA Digital. He also worked at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS, and the Indianapolis Star, covering the Indiana Pacers as the team’s beat writer. The Hawks continue to honor Smith’s legacy, and Capela is now a part of that legacy as the latest recipient of the Sekou Smith Award.