Most Admired Leaders in Sports

[CTWarrior]

Shaka made The Athletics 40 most admired leaders in sports.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6945825/2026/01/15/top-leaders-in-sports-2025-most-admired/?campaign=16492623&source=athletic_targeted_email&userId=20869862

39. Shaka Smart, Marquette men's basketball coach
Credentials: Smart has guided programs like VCU and Marquette to national relevance through a coaching philosophy, especially at Marquette, that centers on building strong relationships and fostering player growth.

What our voters said:
Bruce Bowen, former NBA player: "What I admire is Shaka's persistence in never being satisfied with where he is until it's better. It's not easy to connect with kids whose ideas of what the game is today may not shape up to be the same as the head coach, but Shaka continues to find a way to connect and enhance along the way."