Will Smith sure has become a household name. But does this name belong to the same entity? While literary critics may bring in Saussure’s arguments on the arbitrary relationship between sound image and concept, that is not our concern right now. However, some of those arguments might hold true in this context, as the name boasts not only Hollywood’s Fresh Prince but a few other successful entities as well. Specifically sports persons.

Both football and baseball currently pride themselves on having Will Smiths as an excellent catcher and a defensive end player. And now, Hockey has also chimed in. June end apparently saw the 2023 annual NHL draft, and San Jose Sharks’ first-round notably picked Will Smith, the 18-year-old ice hockey player popular for his on-ice abilities and seemingly his PR skills as well.

Interestingly, the hockey player, who shares his name with the Hollywood prestige and 54-year-old rapper, paid tribute to his namesake, walking to the stage to the Fresh Prince theme. Yes! They actually played Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme as the Boston student made his way to the stage. Later on, in a chat with ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the newly selected player stated that the song was his choice as he felt the necessity to associate with that name.

“I’m trying to own it and I love the song, too,” the 18-year-old said before singing his rendition of the song from the 1990s sitcom.

Meanwhile, here is everything you need to know about the ice-hockey player.

Will Smith- The 18-year-old Sharks pick who shares his name with the Hollywood fame

No. He is not related to the Emancipation actor or Dodgers’ catcher in any way, apart from sharing the same name. So who is he? Born in Lexington, Massachusetts, Sharks’s Will Smith is an eighteen-year-old Boston college attendee. He apparently started playing hockey in his early school days and then committed himself to continue playing the game for his college.

The past two seasons notably saw the player preparing himself for the US National Development Team. He played 36 games in total, scoring 14 goals and 14 assists, that is, 28 points in total in that time period. He sure is a huge pick for the Sharks.

Do you think the player’s tribute to Hollywood’s Will Smith was a very sweet gesture? Do let us know in the comments below.