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Smith Golden for Hurricane
BY Damon Sayles, dsayles@acnpapers.com
Rashad Smith now will admit it. He wasn’t expecting the University of Tulsa to dazzle him the way it did.
As Plano Senior’s senior star basketball player visited the Tulsa campus over the weekend, it became more and more apparent that his original perception of the school was a swing and a miss. With every second of experiencing the campus life and the surroundings of the city, Smith became a big fan of the Conference USA school.
Smith officially gave Tulsa his oral commitment Monday night. The 6-foot-7, 190-pound senior forward chose the Golden Hurricane over Texas Tech, Virginia Commonwealth, Wichita State and Creighton.
Smith, who moved to Plano from Tennessee toward the end of his freshman year, became the Plano ISD’s second basketball player from the Class of 2011 to verbal. He joined Plano West senior Geoffrey Groselle, who committed to Creighton earlier this week. All oral commitments are nonbinding. The first day a Class of 2011 basketball player can sign a national letter of intent is Nov. 10.
Smith was Plano’s go-to player as a junior, serving as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder. He averaged roughly 11 points, five rebounds and two assists last season.
Smith said he enjoyed Tulsa’s basketball facilities and Doug Wojcik and the rest of the Golden Hurricane coaching staff. However, it was the campus scenery that left a permanent imprint in his mind.
“We were driving trying to find different streets, and we came up on a waterfall and all these colorful lights,” Smith said. “I think the visit to the campus was more of the reason why I committed.”
Parlin said Smith may have made the visit to Tulsa with a preconceived notion, but he was pleasantly surprised to the point where he texted Parlin during the trip.
“He said he was having an absolutely fabulous time. I think he was surprised that some things were different from what he was expecting,” Parlin said. “He built a relationship with the players and Coach Wojcik, and he loved it.
“Rashad’s a family type of guy, and he liked how they took him in. I didn’t think he had any intentions playing at Tulsa, but it’s a great fit for him. I’m happy for him.”
Smith’s basketball stock rose after a solid summer playing AAU ball for both the Top Achievers Pistons and the Dallas Mustangs. He’s a long, athletic forward who on offense can slash to and finish at the basket, as well as drain the mid-range jumper. Smith also is a credible defender who uses his wingspan to his advantage.
Parlin called Smith a “ likeable, respectable kid,” and he is expecting Smith to be both a vocal and kinetic leader of the Wildcats once the season starts.
“He’s taken great steps since his freshman year,” Parlin said. “ I think he understands he’s the best basketball player we have, and he has to take those steps on and off court. The kids look up to him – especially the younger ones – and the middle school and ninth graders already know about him.
“I think when he gets to Tulsa and gets around those guys 24/7 with their conditioning program, he’s going to turn out to be an outstanding college player.”
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