END OF INCREDIBLE ERA AS TRAILBLAZERS LEGEND MOVES ON

After seven remarkable seasons with Derby Trailblazers, club captain Malcolm Smith has decided it’s time to move on to towards new challenges and adventures. After two successful seasons in the northeast, he arrived at Derby in 2018 and helped the club to win the NBL Division One league title in 2024 and finish runners-up up 2025.

Along the way, he also won two Trophy titles and multiple MVP awards, partly due to his ability to step up in big game situations. When the Trailblazers enjoyed success in the BBL and SLB Trophy competitions, Smith was always at the heart of their performances, demonstrating he was more than capable of playing at a higher level.

He’s now been released from the final year of his contract by mutual consent as he looks to put that to the test by playing at a higher level for the first time in his career.

The thirty-two-year-old from Tennessee has penned an emotional letter to his hundreds of fans thanking them for the way they welcomed him into their family:

“It’s with bittersweet emotions that I’m writing this letter, but I wanted to let y’all know that I won’t be kitting up for the Blazers next season. As excited as I am for what’s next, I would be lying to say it wasn’t a difficult choice for me to make.

“I came to this city as a twenty-five-year-old, trying to keep the dream alive of just playing basketball, as it’s something I truly love to do. I’ve missed Christmases, birthdays, weddings, funerals, reunions, and much more because of that love, but I can honestly say you’ve all made me love the game that much more.

“It’s been seven seasons with my Blazers family, and all of the experiences we have shared over the years will never be forgotten. As unique of a story my whole basketball journey has been, this part has been the most rewarding.

“I’ve got to become family with many of you. We’ve experienced a lot of firsts and exciting moments, built momentum and pushed the club forward. We’ve also experienced the lows that come with trying to do these things and we’ve gotten through all of it together.

“I’m not sure this moment would class as a low moment for us, but as tough as this moment is we will get through it together like we’ve always done, and though we won’t be together in the immediate future, I know our time together isn’t done.

“Much of the time we have spent together was filled with celebrating victories, post-game pints and even some midweek ones! We pulled together to get through some tough stretches, spent a lot of time proving those that doubted us wrong, and even more proving those that believed in us right.

“As daunting as this new chapter in my career may be, I know the lessons I’ve learned from going through all of that with you, day in and day out will serve me well in anything that I do moving forward. It’s especially comforting knowing I’ve got a whole city and community at my back, ready to push me forward.

“I promise to always wave the Blazers flag and to carry that pride with me as I truly love everything about this club and will always be around because this is my home after all.”

While Derby supporters will be sadly disappointed to hear of Smiths departure, he leaves with everyone’s thanks and best wishes. It also goes without saying Trailblazers fans will also be left with multiple fond memories of his illustrious time with the club.