ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith left his co-hosts momentarily stunned Friday when he interrupted an NBA playoff discussion on “First Take” to declare that colleague Chiney Ogwumike’s brief use of French “kinda turned me on.”
The moment occurred during the April 24 episode while the panel analyzed the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 113-96 victory over the Denver Nuggets that gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead in their first-round series. Ogwumike, a former WNBA star and current ESPN basketball analyst, praised Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert — who is French — by sprinkling in a few French phrases during her breakdown.
"I've never dated a woman from France, but after hearing Chiney (speak French), I was like, what have I been missing? That verbiage right there, that kinda turned me on" – Stephen A. Smith pic.twitter.com/El3FBGFaTD
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 24, 2026
Once Ogwumike finished, Smith jumped in with a personal aside.
“I gotta get a little personal for a second here,” Smith said. “I’m living a good life, I’m pretty damn happy to say the least, but I must admit, in all my years on this Earth, I’ve never dated a woman from France or anything like that. But after hearing Chiney, I was like, what have I been missing? That verbiage right there, that kinda turned me on.”
Co-host Shae Cornette reacted immediately by covering her face in apparent disbelief. Ogwumike appeared briefly taken aback before laughing off the remark.
The clip spread quickly on social media, drawing a mix of amused and awkward reactions from viewers accustomed to Smith’s unfiltered on-air style. Smith has previously drawn attention for similar candid comments about female colleagues, including past on-set exchanges with Molly Qerim and Sage Steele.
Neither ESPN nor the personalities involved immediately commented publicly on the exchange beyond what aired.
“First Take” continues its NBA playoff coverage this weekend.
