Kenny "The Jet" Smith's connection to North Carolina makes his son Malloy's arrival inherently interesting. But once the season starts, the name on the back of the jersey won't determine whether he earns minutes.
This is Malloy Smith's opportunity to begin creating his own Carolina story.
What you need to know about Malloy Smith
Class: Freshman
Height: 6-5
Weight: 180
Hometown: Newport Beach, California
High School: Mater Dei
Smith played AAU for Jet Academy. While playing for Gary McKnight at Mater Dei High School, Smith served as team captain and averaged 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during his senior season.
What Malloy Smith brings to UNC
Although he's listed as a 6-foot-5 combo guard, Malloy Smith has developed into a viable ball handler at the point guard position.
His size gives him an advantage at the position, as does his feel for the game and willingness to make plays for others. He isn't your typical score-first guard, but he's willing to attack the paint, force the defense to make a decision, and make the right read in the moment.
You can never have enough playmakers, especially unselfish ones who will do whatever it takes to win.
The biggest question surrounding Malloy Smith
Is there a role in the rotation for Malloy Smith during his freshman season?
Like Isaiah Denis a season ago, Smith might be competing for minutes in a crowded backcourt. This could be a "redshirt" year for Smith, allowing him to work on his overall game in practice while getting some burn in-game situations during the season.
Ideally, UNC can take its time developing Smith, a guy who feels like a multi-year contributor for this team moving forward.
What does a successful season look like for Malloy Smith?
A successful 2026-2027 season for Malloy Smith is defined by two words: improvement and development.
Smith has room to grow as a shooter, something the coaching staff has likely already been working on with him. While there doesn't appear to be a path to significant playing time for him as a freshman, Smith will have the opportunity to learn Michael Malone's system every day in practice, compete against NBA-caliber guards on a daily basis in practice, while also using his additional workouts to improve his overall game.
Of course, no one is ruling out the possibility that he'll find a way into the rotation this season. In fact, this would be a big win for the Tar Heels if it comes to fruition. However, this season will be defined by how well he develops, as the goal should be for him to be ready to compete for minutes as a rotation regular by the start of his sophomore season.
The bottom line
Smith's last name will carry a lot of weight, given how successful his father was both in Chapel Hill and in the pros. However, similar to his brother KJ, it's time for Malloy to make his own legacy at North Carolina.
The family history led him to Chapel Hill. Now, Malloy Smith wants to make a name for himself as he embarks on his own journey with the UNC basketball program.
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