He grew up in a small town in Colorado, stayed in state for college, was drafted 20th overall in 2007 and tripled the length of a typical NBA career by staying in the league for 12 years.   

Jason Smith thought he was going to be the only “short” person in his family when he got to 5’10” in middle school and started at that same height his freshman year of high school. By the end of that school year, he was 6’6” and just kept growing. By the time he was done, he was 7 feet tall and had schools from throughout the country knocking on his door. He decided to stay in state and attend Colorado State University so his family could be close and drive to all his games (home and away).  

In 2007, Jason left CSU early and entered the draft. The 76’ers took him at #20 and Jason saw action in 76 games as a rookie. From there a journeyman career began with stops at many different teams including the Hornets, Knicks, Magic, Wizards, Bucks and Pelicans. Along with all the trades came a few injuries and many hours in the training room.   

Jason retired in 2019 and focused on being a father and husband as well as doing some media work with the Wizards. He’s also collecting accolades in retirement: in 2026, CSU inducted Jason into their Ring of Honor and his jersey hangs in the rafters at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.   

Listen to Jason’s story and conversation with Susie Wargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast. 

To learn more about the host Susie Wargin, visit www.SusieWargin.com

He grew up in a small town in Colorado, stayed in state for college, was drafted 20th overall in 2007 and tripled the length of a typical NBA career by staying in the league for 12 years.   Jason Smith thought he was going to be the only “short” person in his family when he got to 5’10” in middle school and started at that same height his freshman year of high school. By the end of that school year, he was 6’6” and just kept growing. By the time he was done, he was 7 feet tall and had schools from throughout the country knocking on his door. He decided to stay in state and attend Colorado State University so his family could be close and drive to all his games (home and away).   In 2007, Jason left CSU early and entered the draft. The 76’ers took him at #20 and Jason saw action in 76 games as a rookie. From there a journeyman career began with stops at many different teams including the Hornets, Knicks, Magic, Wizards, Bucks and Pelicans. Along with all the trades came a few injuries and many hours in the training room.   Jason retired in 2019 and focused on being a father and husband as well as doing some media work with the Wizards. He’s also collecting accolades in retirement: in 2026, CSU inducted Jason into their Ring of Honor and his jersey hangs in the rafters at Moby Arena in Fort Collins.   Listen to Jason’s story and conversation with Susie Wargin on the Cut Traded Fired Retired Podcast.  To learn more about the host Susie Wargin, visit <a href="https://www.SusieWargin.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.SusieWargin.com</a>

A 2-time Colorado Broadcaster Association winner for Best Radio Podcast! 

We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them. 

Professional athletes and coaches are the best at what they do. They are also people. People with emotions, self-doubt, insecurities, family obligations and setbacks. They have to deal with tough times and dark moments just like we do. 

Hosted by Susie Wargin, a 30+ year Radio & TV broadcaster and Emmy Award winning sportscaster, who sits down with some of the biggest names in Denver sports. Hall of Famers, Ring of Famers, Super Bowl winners (and losers) and many who have reinvented themselves in retirement. The conversations feature insightful upbringings, emotional and impactful stories as well as words of wisdom on how to keep moving forward. 

Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, download, rate and review. For more information visit CTFRPodcast.com. To learn more about Susie's career as a Realtor (she would love to help you!), visit SusieWargin.com. Thank you for listening!

A 2-time Colorado Broadcaster Association winner for Best Radio Podcast!&nbsp; We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them.&nbsp; Professional athletes and coaches are the best at what they do. They are also people. People with emotions, self-doubt, insecurities, family obligations and setbacks. They have to deal with tough times and dark moments just like we do. Hosted by Susie Wargin, a 30+ year Radio &amp; TV broadcaster and Emmy Award winning sportscaster, who sits down with some of the biggest names in Denver sports. Hall of Famers, Ring of Famers, Super Bowl winners (and losers) and many who have reinvented themselves in retirement. The conversations feature insightful upbringings, emotional and impactful stories as well as words of wisdom on how to keep moving forward.&nbsp; Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, download, rate and review. For more information visit <a href="https://www.CTFRPodcast.com">CTFRPodcast.com</a>. To learn more about Susie's career as a Realtor (she would love to help you!), visit <a href="https://www.SusieWargin.com">SusieWargin.com</a>. Thank you for listening!

The Colorado Broadcaster Association's Best Radio Podcast in 2024! We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them. Professional athletes and coaches are the best...

Cut Traded Fired Retired

The Colorado Broadcaster Association's Best Radio Podcast in 2024! 

We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them. 

Professional athletes and coaches are the best at what they do. They are also people. People with emotions, self-doubt, insecurities, family obligations and setbacks. They have to deal with tough times and dark moments just like we do. 

Hosted by Susie Wargin, a 30+ year Radio & TV broadcaster and Emmy Award winning sportscaster, who sits down with some of the biggest names in Denver sports. Hall of Famers, Ring of Famers, Super Bowl winners (and losers) and many who have reinvented themselves in retirement. The conversations feature insightul upbringings, emotional and impactful stories as well as words of wisom on how to keep moving forward. 

Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, download, rate and review. For more information visit CTFRPodcast.com. To learn more about Susie's career as a Realtor (she would love to help you!), visit SusieWargin.com. Thank you for listening!

The Colorado Broadcaster Association's Best Radio Podcast in 2024!  We follow them on social media. We pay money to watch them play or coach. We check headlines for breaking news and rumors about them.  Professional athletes and coaches are the best at what they do. They are also people. People with emotions, self-doubt, insecurities, family obligations and setbacks. They have to deal with tough times and dark moments just like we do. Hosted by Susie Wargin, a 30+ year Radio &amp; TV broadcaster and Emmy Award winning sportscaster, who sits down with some of the biggest names in Denver sports. Hall of Famers, Ring of Famers, Super Bowl winners (and losers) and many who have reinvented themselves in retirement. The conversations feature insightul upbringings, emotional and impactful stories as well as words of wisom on how to keep moving forward.  Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, download, rate and review. For more information visit <a href="https://www.CTFRPodcast.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CTFRPodcast.com</a>. To learn more about Susie's career as a Realtor (she would love to help you!), visit <a href="https://www.SusieWargin.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SusieWargin.com</a>. Thank you for listening!

He grew up in a small town in Colorado, stayed in state for college, was drafted 20th overall in 2007 and tripled the length of a typical NBA career by staying in the league for 12 years.   

Jason Smith thought he was going to be the only “short”...

Jason Smith

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/19d0c76e-d9bc-477f-a7cb-b4a301189105/transcript