Since Will Smith became a world-conquering celebrity in the 1990s, several Will Smiths have graced the world of sports. Defensive end Will Smith made the Pro Bowl with the Saints in 2006. Pitcher Will Smith reached the MLB All-Star Game in 2019 with the Giants, and catcher Will Smith won the World Series with the Dodgers in 2020.
Wednesday evening, another Will Smith joined the party.
The Sharks selected USA Hockey National Team Development Program and incoming Boston College center Will Smith with the No. 4 pick in the NHL draft in Nashville. Appropriately enough, the league played “Yo Home to Bel-Air,” the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as Smith made his way to the stage at Bridgestone Arena.
The San Jose Sharks draft Will Smith, and 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' theme song is played in the arena. #NHLDraft 🏒📺🎵 pic.twitter.com/78aiQLM1WX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 28, 2023
After his selection, ESPN interviewed Smith, who revealed he chose the song himself. Telling the network he “loved” the song, he sang a few lines of it on camera after some coaxing.
And Will Smith was then asked to sing 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' theme song on ESPN. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/Zfd4sTRvIj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 28, 2023
San Jose—which hasn’t reached the plyoffs since 2019—may have a ways to go before contending with Smith, but the franchise’s “cool” factor appears to have been bolstered by his selection.
