Editing Stephen A. Smith (section)

=== Early Life and Career Beginnings ===
Stephen A. Smith was born on October 14, 1967, in the Hollis neighborhood of Queens, New York. Growing up in an environment where basketball was a major influence, Smith’s passion for sports began at a young age. He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, but his heart was always set on sports journalism.

After college, Smith began working in print journalism, covering basketball for ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''. His early years in the industry allowed him to hone his writing skills and gain valuable experience, but it was his transition to broadcasting that would ultimately define his career.