Sharks first-round draft pick Will Smith was born March 17, 2005, nine years after the final episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" aired. But even he can't escape the specter of the Will Smith classic.
Smith has embraced that. When he was picked No. 4 by the Sharks at the NHL Draft on Wednesday night in Nashville, he walked up with the "Fresh Prince" theme playing.
It's a good show, and although he's landing further north, at least the state is correct. Sometimes, the best way to stand out is to lean into the bit. Smith understands that even at 18.
WILL SMITH IS A SHARK 🦈 pic.twitter.com/2yzSPtuywO
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) June 28, 2023
The NHL also made the inevitable joke.
Froooooom East Massachusetts... 🎶 #NHLDraft
— NHL (@NHL) June 28, 2023
The @SanJoseSharks select forward Will Smith with the fourth overall pick! pic.twitter.com/tJ68fLEyH0
"I feel like I kind of had to," Smith said of the walkup song when he was asked by ESPN's Emily Kaplan. "The name, I mean, I'm trying to own it, I love the song, too."
MORE: NHL Draft grades: Live analysis for every pick in Round 1
Not sated with that level of self awareness, however, Kaplan then asked Smith to rap the Fresh Prince song on camera, to his apparent disbelief. He did, however, oblige.
Of course Will Smith knows every word of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ theme song 🤣 pic.twitter.com/bEVX1bzyCT
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) June 28, 2023
Is Will Smith the hockey player related to Will Smith the actor and rapper?
The short answer is no, Will Smith the hockey player is not related to Will Smith the actor and rapper.
William is a common first name and Smith is a common surname, but the younger Smith was named well after the performer was in the public eye.
Smith the hockey player also is not related to Dodgers catcher Will Smith.
Where did Will Smith go to school?
Smith didn't go to school in Philadelphia, but he is an East Coast product.
He was born in Lexington, Mass., and raised in the Boston area. He played prep hockey at St. Sebastian's School in Needham, Mass., and has committed to Boston College. In that sense, moving from a major East Coast city to the West Coast makes the "Fresh Prince" theme is perfect in more ways than one.
Smith has played the past two seasons with the U.S. National Development team. The club appears to have developed his PR skills as well.