Flint Northern, 1995
2024 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Basketball
Antonio Smith’s athletic journey started in the Flint area playing sports at Berston Field House. His passion for sports led him to becoming a member of the Flint Northern High School basketball team.
In 1995, Antonio helped lead the Northern Vikings to a state championship in basketball. In the state championship game, Antonio scored 24 points, and had 15 rebounds and three blocks. That same season Antonio Smith finished runner-up for the Mr. Basketball Award.
His success at Northern caught the attention of Michigan State basketball head coach Tom Izzo and Antonio became the first Flint area basketball player that coach Izzo brought to MSU.
At Michigan State he, along with Flint natives Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson and Charlie Bell, became known as “The Flintstones,” as they helped bring a winning culture to MSU basketball.
Smith provided muscle inside the paint for the Spartans and became a dominant force on the glass and on defense. He scored 870 career points and had 1016 career rebounds. In 1999, he helped Michigan State make an appearance in the Final Four for the program’s first time since 1979.
After completing his playing career at Michigan State University in 1999, he continued playing basketball professionally. Antonio played three seasons overseas in Italy where he averaged over 10 points and over 10 rebounds. Smith also played in the NBA’s Development league for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Antonio Smith, you are the true definition of being “Flint Strong!” You have made Flint proud, welcome to the Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame!
