 |
| Journal File Photo |
It wasn’t that long ago when Justin Smith, a freshman for Idaho State’s men’s basketball team, was headed toward redshirting his first season playing for the Bengals.
Straight out of Colorado Springs, Colo., Smith had talent and athleticism, and he came from a successful prep team that had just won back-to-back state championships for Lewis-Palmer. In the title game his senior year, Smith contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds as a high school finale.
When he arrived in Pocatello last June, the ISU coaching staff were leaning on redshirting Smith to provide a bumper year where he could mature physically while honing his basketball fundamentals.
For his part, Smith just worked to get better.
“That’s all I could have a factor in, how hard I worked,” he said. “The rest was up to the coaches.”
As the 2013-14 season drew closer, Idaho State’s roster depth took a major hit after both Ben Wilson and Andre Slavik were ruled ineligible for the year by the NCAA.
At that point, ISU head coach Bill Evans joked he would have to play with four guys on the floor if he redshirted anyone else.
Then a funny thing happened. A summer spent playing ball with his team, lifting weights and working one-on-one with the Bengal coaching staff paid off. Since the beginning of his senior year in high school, Smith estimates he’s gained 15 pounds.
Suddenly his athletic ability came in a bigger frame. Listed at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Smith had the size and skills to play right away for the Bengals.
And play he has. Through Idaho State’s first four games, he’s logged 73 minutes, scored 13 points and collected 13 rebounds.
His best game came against Evergreen State when he poured in 11 points in 16 minutes before fouling out.
At times, the true freshman has struggled. Smith got his first collegiate start Nov. 23 at Cal State Bakersfield, slipping into the starting spot Jeffrey Solarin vacated after he violated a team rule and did not travel to California.
In 24 minutes Smith shot 1-for-7 from the field in ISU’s 71-69 loss. Evans, though, was happy with Smith’s defense and effort. Consider it a freshman-grading curve.
“I don’t think you can always judge a person by how many shots he makes or misses,” Evans said. “... He’s still in the learning stages. I think he has a bright future and I’m excited about it.”
Evans loves Smith’s potential and so do his teammates. Andre Hatchett, one of four seniors on the team, marvels at how advanced Smith is today compared to his own ability as a freshman.
“Everybody knows he’s going to be a great player,” Hatchett said. “Obviously, just the potential’s there. ... He has a great work ethic. He’s always in the gym and working to get stronger.”
The development continues tonight in Idaho State’s game versus Carroll College in Holt Arena at 7:05 p.m.
The Saints, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, are 4-6 this season and coming of a 80-52 loss to Boise State Thursday night.
For the Bengals, it’s a game sandwiched between a 12-day layoff and a three-game road trip that includes stops at Utah (Tuesday) and Washington (Dec. 14) and a date with Idaho (Dec. 20) in Boise.
Hatchett, however, guarantees the Bengals are not looking ahead.
“We’re all just going to go out and execute and play as hard as we can,” he said. “That’s what we’re known for, playing 100 percent the whole 40 minutes.”
A win and Idaho State moves above .500 for the first time after five games into a season since a 6-1 start in 2005-06.
“We’ll be prepared for Carroll,” Evans said, “trust me.”
NOTES: Idaho State is 6-0 all-time versus Carroll College. In their last meeting, the Bengals beat the Saints 75-74 Nov. 29, 2006. ... Jeffrey Solarin is currently leading the Big Sky Conference with 5.3 offensive rebounds a game. ... Ayibakuro Preh is a co-leader at 1.75 blocks shots per game.
No comments:
Post a Comment