Smith began his career playing high school basketball at Wauwatosa East High School. He then played basketball at the collegiate level for  Marquette University from 1986 to 1990. During his time at Marquette he set the schools all time record for points per game, 23.8  which he achieved during the 1989-90 season.
Smith's early basketball career began at Wauwatosa East High School before he transitioned to college hoops from 1986 to 1990 at Marquette University, where he set a school record for scoring points per game with an average of 23.8 during the 1989-90 season.