UConn picks up commitment from three-star PG

by UConnBlog Justin on Mar 30, 2009 10:01 PM EDT

Chicago PG Darius Smith will join the fold next fall.

UConn rounded out its 2009 recruiting class today when Marshall High (Chicago) point guard Darius Smith offered a verbal commitment.

Rated a three-star prospect and the 19th-best PG in the class of '09 (113 overall) by Rivals.com, Smith was regarded as one of the best unsigned seniors, according to the Chicago Tribune. He reportedly narrowed his choices to the Huskies, Arizona State and Cincinnati before choosing UConn, and also held offers from Missouri, Purdue, Kentucky, Indiana, Marquette and Oregon State.

From the Tribune:

"UConn's style of play is my style of play--up and down the court," said Smith, a fist-team All-State selection who averaged 23 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals this season. "With A.J. Price a senior, this was a good fit for them and for me. I pride myself on doing it at both ends of the court, just like him."

"I like the program and get along real well with the coaching staff,'' he said. "I will be a true point guard there."

Smith joins three-star shooting guard Jamaal Trice as UConn's remaining verbals. Tilton (N.H.) C/F Alex Oriakhi (five stars) and SF Jamal Coombs-McDaniel (four stars), who verbaled when they were about six, have already signed letter of intents.

Seniors Craig Austrie, Jeff Adrien and A.J. Price are the only ones leaving, and UConn had a open scholarship from the Nate Miles fiasco. but Smith's signing is pretty much a clear sign that Hasheem Thabeet is headed to the NBA after the season. (A kind sir reminded me that there will be a fourth open scholarship thanks to Miles' propensity to break restraining orders in less than 20 minutes.)

{H/T: UConnReport.com}

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Comments

This is good news, I’ve been waiting on this fellow. I’m still most excited about Coombs-McDaniel though, even more than Oriakhi.

But what’s Kemba going to do, play the 2? He can’t shoot enough and wouldn’t be able to handle taller guards. And, most importantly, there’ll be a REAL logjam in two years when we get Brandon Knight. But, of course, he can play the 2 for sure. And can fly. And shoots 60% from halfcourt.

(I don’t know why I have such a crush on a dude that I’m sure will end up at Florida. Still, can we get a Brandon Knight Countdown Box? Just in case?)

by gxpanos on Mar 30, 2009 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Some conflicting reports, but apparently Smith is combo, maybe even more suited to be a 2. So after Dyson graduates it’d be Kemba at the point and Smith at the 2. And next year he can back both up, which is nice.

Just hope he doesn’t steal too many minutes from Scottie 2 Hottie.

by gxpanos on Mar 30, 2009 10:46 PM EDT reply actions

All the write-ups say he’s a great scorer, but in that quote from the Tribune he says “I’ll be a true point.”

I read something today that people expect Kemba to be in lottery consideration next year, so who knows about him. And you have to think they’ll get someone else to play the 2 before Scottie 2 Hottie.

by Justin Verrier on Mar 30, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions