Photo Courtesy Bill Graham/Palm Beach Post
Legendary Boys Head Basketball Coach Murray Smith released the following statement:
"After five rewarding years as the basketball coach at King’s Academy, I will be stepping down from my role due to the school's decision to pursue a new direction. I am excited to prioritize spending more time with my family and assisting my sister in caring for our father."
Coach Murray Smith just completed his 36th year as a varsity High School Basketball Coach in Palm Beach County. Smith started his career at Lake Worth Christian for a year before taking over as Head Coach at Cardinal Newman for 15 years. Following his time at Newman, Smith coached at Summit Christian for 7 years, Lake Worth High School for 7 years and 5 years at The King’s Academy. During his tenures as Head Coach, Smith has an overall record of 776-251.
He has had five seasons where his teams have
won 30 or more games, along with taking two different teams to seven Florida state Final Four appearances. Smith has been fortunate to win three state championships – Cardinal Newman (2) and Summit Christian (1). Coach Smith is a 5-time Palm Beach County Coach of The Year and one of the only coaches in Palm Beach County to win state titles at two different schools. During his first season at The King’s Academy (2019-2020), Smith won 17 games which is more than King’s Academy had won in 30 years. He continued to make history by winning 19 games in the 2020-2021 season, 20 games in 2021-22, 27 wins in 2022-23 and 21 games in 2023-24.
The 2022-23 season brought King’s it’s first district championship in boys basketball in 34 years while advancing to the region 2-3A regional championship game. Coach Smith also led the Lions to the regional round this past season.
Yet with all the accolades and achievements over a long and illustrious career, one has eluded Coach Smith, induction into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame.
Smith started his tenure in Palm Beach County as a four-year member of the Palm Beach Atlantic University men’s basketball team in 1981 and competing his playing career in 1984. For over 40 years while either playing or coaching Murray Smith has been a part of the basketball scene in Palm Beach County and accumulated 776 wins and 3 state titles all in Palm Beach County. Coach Smith’s resume is one deserving of selection in the Hall of Fame.
He has declared unequivocally his coaching career is not over yet, but we do believe Murray Smith should be a no brainer selection for the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame sooner rather than later.
We close with this quote from Dr. Chris Hobbs, Superintendent of Indian Rocks Christian School in Largo. Dr. Hobbs was the former Director of Athletics at The King’s Academy and National High School Athletic Director of the Year 2019.
“The coaching world is full of a variety of personalities and philosophies, but there is a certain degree of obsession that separates the consistent winners from the occasional winners. I had a front-row seat for two seasons to watch Coach Murray Smith’s obsession to see his players succeed on and off the court. He would go to almost any length for the well-being of his players. His 700+ wins and three state championships, all in Palm Beach County, are clearly a hall-of-fame resume. But, it is his obsessive love for the game of basketball and deep concern for the players he coaches that truly make him worthy of the honor.”
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