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Smith leaves lasting impression at Jordan Classic
By Zachary Braziller April 18, 2009
The Jordan Brand Classic regional game plays like any other all-star game. Little defense is played. Few passes made. It’s about acrobatic slam dunks and long jump shots. Winning means very little.
It’s about fun.
Russ Smith, known for enjoying himself with a basketball in his right hand, dribbling like he is being controlled with a joystick, had a different mindset.
The last time he took the floor, his Archbishop Molloy boys’ basketball team was crushed, beaten by Rice, 96-64, in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional quarterfinals.
“I wanted to go out with a bang,” he said.
Mission accomplished. Smith scored a team-high 27 points, leading the city team past the suburbs, 129-120, Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. He made 10-of-17 shots, hit two 3-pointers, and added two assists and two steals, earning co-MVP honors with Jamesville DeWitt’s Brandon Triche, who scored 33 points.
“He took advantage of the opportunities he was given,” said city team co-coach Rudy King. “He showed why he’s one of the best players in the city.”
The performance was a nod to his future and limitless potential. Smith, who will attend prep school at South Kent (Conn.) next year, led the CHSAA in scoring with 29.6 points per game.
He drew criticism for failing to share the ball and taking poor shots. But that was hardly the case on Saturday. He was under control and let the game come to him, characteristics those who have played with Smith say he doesn’t get enough credit for.
At Molloy, he had to score. But during the AAU season, when he teamed with talents such as Durand Scott, Danny Jennings and Doron Lamb, he is very different.
“With the Gauchos, he’s more of a point guard,” Rice forward and longtime friend James Stukes said.
The 6-foot-1 Smith, who has received offers from Providence, USC, Rutgers and South Carolina, said he is going to South Kent, where he will team with Stukes and Thomas Jefferson high-scoring guard Keith Spellman, to bulk up. With an 88 average and qualifying SAT score, he could’ve accepted one of several Division I scholarship offers for the upcoming season.
“It’s really a matter of maturing physically and also learning to trust his teammates,” talent evaluator Tom Konchalski said. “He can really pass the ball.”
Konchalski said Smith’s greatest attribute is his love for the game – “he’d rather play than breathe,” Konchalski joked – but to play at the highest level, Smith will have to adapt.
That isn’t lost on the high-scoring guard. He said he understands he won’t be taking 20-plus shots per game at South Kent. There are certain adjustments he needs to make.
“I have to become a smarter player,” he said.
Smith said he will always be a scoring guard, but he will have to learn to pick his spots. King, the Bishop Loughlin coach who has known Smith for several years, said he wouldn’t take away the player’s aggression, but harness it. Have him wait for the ball to be reversed back to him to look for his shot instead of attacking so early. A player of his size with his talent, though, is a weapon.
“He’s very capable of turning into a solid (Division I) guard,” King said.
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com
It’s about fun.
Russ Smith, known for enjoying himself with a basketball in his right hand, dribbling like he is being controlled with a joystick, had a different mindset.
The last time he took the floor, his Archbishop Molloy boys’ basketball team was crushed, beaten by Rice, 96-64, in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional quarterfinals.
“I wanted to go out with a bang,” he said.
Mission accomplished. Smith scored a team-high 27 points, leading the city team past the suburbs, 129-120, Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. He made 10-of-17 shots, hit two 3-pointers, and added two assists and two steals, earning co-MVP honors with Jamesville DeWitt’s Brandon Triche, who scored 33 points.
“He took advantage of the opportunities he was given,” said city team co-coach Rudy King. “He showed why he’s one of the best players in the city.”
The performance was a nod to his future and limitless potential. Smith, who will attend prep school at South Kent (Conn.) next year, led the CHSAA in scoring with 29.6 points per game.
He drew criticism for failing to share the ball and taking poor shots. But that was hardly the case on Saturday. He was under control and let the game come to him, characteristics those who have played with Smith say he doesn’t get enough credit for.
At Molloy, he had to score. But during the AAU season, when he teamed with talents such as Durand Scott, Danny Jennings and Doron Lamb, he is very different.
“With the Gauchos, he’s more of a point guard,” Rice forward and longtime friend James Stukes said.
The 6-foot-1 Smith, who has received offers from Providence, USC, Rutgers and South Carolina, said he is going to South Kent, where he will team with Stukes and Thomas Jefferson high-scoring guard Keith Spellman, to bulk up. With an 88 average and qualifying SAT score, he could’ve accepted one of several Division I scholarship offers for the upcoming season.
“It’s really a matter of maturing physically and also learning to trust his teammates,” talent evaluator Tom Konchalski said. “He can really pass the ball.”
Konchalski said Smith’s greatest attribute is his love for the game – “he’d rather play than breathe,” Konchalski joked – but to play at the highest level, Smith will have to adapt.
That isn’t lost on the high-scoring guard. He said he understands he won’t be taking 20-plus shots per game at South Kent. There are certain adjustments he needs to make.
“I have to become a smarter player,” he said.
Smith said he will always be a scoring guard, but he will have to learn to pick his spots. King, the Bishop Loughlin coach who has known Smith for several years, said he wouldn’t take away the player’s aggression, but harness it. Have him wait for the ball to be reversed back to him to look for his shot instead of attacking so early. A player of his size with his talent, though, is a weapon.
“He’s very capable of turning into a solid (Division I) guard,” King said.
zbraziller@fiveborosports.com