2 minute read
Dru Smith
HOOP Dreams
Heating up: Reitz High School standout Dru Smith striving to make his mark in the NBA
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Like so many talented high school basketball players before him, Dru Smith's head was filled with hoop dreams, of making it to the highest level of competition: the NBA. As a senior at Reitz High School, the Evansville native averaged nearly 21 points per game and was named to the Indiana All-Star team. College ball beckoned but despite offers from numerous regional and national universities, the promising 6'3" guard stayed put, signing on with UE under the tutelage of head coach Marty Simmons - himself a former collegiate star and just the right guy to show Smith the way to bigger things. But it didn't quite go as planned; though he made great strides during his freshman and sophomore years on the squad, even being named to the MVC Most Improved Team, the sudden exit of Simmons prompted Smith to jump ship to the University of Missouri. There, he was forced to sit out a season due to NCAA transfer rules.
But Smith quickly rebounded, so to speak, becoming key to the Tigers' success during his junior and senior years. Not only did he build up an impressive scoring average but led the SEC in steals. Upon graduation, the next step seemed clear: enter the NBA draft. However, Smith's relatively short stature was seen as a potential detriment - no team seemed willing to take a chance on the determined guard. But, undeterred, he joined the Miami Heat for the 2021 Summer League and eventually signed a contract with the storied franchise. Thus began a roller coaster ride that saw Smith waived multiple times and reassigned as an affiliate player with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Yet he refused to let go of his hoop dreams. And on November 25, 2022, Smith once again set foot on a NBA court, suiting up against the Washington Wizards and logging 16 minutes of playing time.
Smith next managed five points over 21 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on November 27 before seeing limited action in the December 6 game versus Detroit. And though his status with the Heat is currently up in the air again, rest assured he's working tirelessly to get back in the game - no matter what it takes. Smith stands as an inspiration to anyone who has a dream in life; his perseverance is a testament to the undying spirit of competition that fuels so many of us. Hopefully he'll be back on the bench by the time this goes to print but regardless, the tri-state is supporting him all the way, like a trailer on a fast break.
