From Lāʻie to The League: Kahuku's Tolu Smith represents the Red Raiders along NBA journey

KAHUKU — Once a Red Raider, always a Red Raider.

Born and raised in Mississippi, Tolu Smith moved to the North Shore prior to his senior year at Kahuku High School in 2017. In Smith's one year as a Red Raider, he was the consensus Hawai‘i state basketball Player of the Year and helped Kahuku to an HHSAA runner-up finish. After graduating in 2018 and moving on to collegiate stints at Western Kentucky and Mississippi State, Smith's association with Kahuku was far from over.

Although Smith's high school career didn't begin at Kahuku, he believes it ended at the right place.

"I remember the fellowship. I remember my teammates and how much fun we had," Smith told Aloha State Daily recently. "Even though I wasn't here for a long time, they greeted me with open arms. I remember I used to just always go to Lāʻie Park. It was right outside from where I stayed, and I used to always work out there."

Following his senior year at Mississippi State, the 6-foot-11 Smith signed with the NBA's Detroit Pistons as an undrafted free agent in 2024. After showing promise with the Motor City Cruise, the G League affiliate of the Pistons, Smith was called up to the big show for one game, making his NBA debut on April 13, 2025 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

After putting up 14 points and eight rebounds against the Bucks, Smith officially etched himself and Kahuku in NBA history, becoming just the second Hawai‘i high school graduate to play in an NBA game after Hilo's Red Rocha debuted in 1950. Smith's NBA appearance was also the first from an O‘ahu high school graduate.

"It means everything. I want to be able to represent not only Kahuku, but the state of Hawai‘i and the Polynesian culture as much as possible," said Smith, who is Black and Samoan. "We can attack any field and be great in any field, and I think that's what we're starting to do. You've seen guys and girls impacting the sport and showing that we're not just football players or rugby players. We can attack any sport or any field and be dominant and be great. Just giving that level of inspiration is what we're were trying to do."

Smith's performance against the Bucks was his lone NBA appearance in the 2024-2025 season. In the 2025-2026 season, he played in 15 games for the Pistons, averaging 9.1 minutes, 3.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Detroit went 60-22, earning the top seed in the NBA's Eastern Conference before getting knocked out in the second round by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith played briefly in two playoff games, scoring four points in five minutes against the Cavaliers in Game 7 on 2-for-2 shooting with three rebounds.

Smith visits the Islands frequently, particularly the North Shore, where he has relatives on his mother's side of the family. On Saturday, he was hosting a free basketball skills clinic for kids at Kahuku High School's gym. A morning session for kids ages 8-12 began at 9 a.m., while the second session for kids ages 13-18 began at 1 p.m.

"I just want to give inspiration to the youth, to the families that gave so much to me when I was in that same position," Smith said. "That's what it's all about."

Back when Smith was a Red Raider, Kahuku boys basketball head coach Brandyn Akana recalled a time where Smith sincerely told him his ultimate goal was to play in the NBA, and he was going to get there through hard, consistent work.

"That just tells you what what his drive and his vision was," Akana said. "But to see him actually do it, and to do well in college, play really good in a tough conference in the SEC, and then be able to make a team, we're really excited for him. He's making history right now, being the only player from Hawai‘i, and being able to live that life. He'll continue to get better and better, and we're going to continue to support him."

Smith has carried the mantle of Island basketball all the way to the NBA. It was important for him to not leave his roots behind.

"Coach Brandyn is like a second father figure to me. All the other stuff he's done for me since high school to now, he's only been trying to help me and my family and other people's families," Smith said. "It's only right that I do this to give back to the kids, get back to the support system that gave so much to me."

Akana, Smith, and other Kahuku players and coaches took turns instructing the keiki during various drills on the Saturday.

The Pistons have until June 29 to decide on Smith's $2.4 million team option for the 2026-2027 NBA season. Regardless of what's next, Smith believes his time making Hawai‘i history in the NBA is far from over.

"I'm gonna continue to work my way up," he said. "The thing about me is I'm just super competitive in sports and my nature, and I think that's going to take me to where I need to be."

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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.