#32 SAMMY SMITH 6-5 200LB, FR, WORTHINGTON, OH

There are several questions that a college coach asks himself before he begins recruitment of a certain player. The first is, “Can he play ball at the next level with a high level of success?” The next is, “Does he have the grades and the test scores to be able to play?” The next has to be, “Has he had any trouble with the law and could he potentially be a problem in the locker room?”

When Oliver Purnell and his staff began the recruitment of Sammy Smith, these answers came as easy as a warm knife through butter. Sammy Smith is the kid that you pray your daughter brings home from college. He is as nice as the day is long and always has time to talk to anybody. When I took my seven and nine-year-old sons to watch him play in the Worthington Summer League, he took all the time that they wanted to talk to them and ask them about the sports that they played. The last two questions can be answered by anybody that knows Sammy. He is bright and would be the last to ever cause any problems.

At 6’5″ and 200 pounds Smith has the ability to play both small forward and shooting guard for the Flyers. Smith is very athletic and is described as having outstanding leaping ability. More of a scorer than a pure shooter, Sam has a solid shot from the three point line and, in high school, was not shy about taking the ball to the hoop. Coming from the Ohio small school ranks, Sam might face a bigger adjustment to Division I play than players arriving from a large school power. However, Worthington Christian played a competitive schedule and experience in summer ball should help Smith make that adjustment.I have seen Smith play seven or eight times while he was in high school. It was the small things that impressed me the most about him. He knew where to go and he never seemed lost on the court. He wasn’t afraid to give up the ball to a teammate even though he was easily the best player on the team. He was quick — very quick — yet strong at the same time. During the playoffs his junior season, he was stationed at the halfcourt line in the middle of the full-court press. He was no more than two feet away from the player that he was guarding. The opposing player threw a baseball pass over Sam’s head, trying to break the press. Smith quickly brought his hands up, caught the ball, put the ball on the floor and streaked past the surprised player for an easy lay-up. This is the kind of thing that isn’t taught, rather, it is a gift. Sammy has been given the gift to play this game.It doesn’t matter what level of ball he would have played in high school, Smith would have excelled.

He has a decent outside shot, one of the quickest first steps you have ever seen and the ability to jump out of his shoes. Smith averaged nearly 21 points and 11 points as a senior, leading Worthington Christian to the state semifinals where they suffered their only defeat of the season. As a junior he averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds as WC won the Division IV state championship. Sammy Smith is the kind of player that you want on your team. The only question that will be asked his freshman year will be if he has the strength to compete under the boards with the big guys. The rest of the tools are there.Unless there is an injury to either Hall or Stanley, do not expect to see him get a great deal of playing time this year. In his freshman year at UD, look for Smith to provide depth at both the forward and shooting guard position. He will compete with Stan King for the primary back-up at both of those positions. A solid ball handler and hard worker, Smith is destined to be a future star however as he gains strength and experience.