Smith Likes His Direction
Ron Bailey, Publisher
November 23, 2006 – Home for the Thanksgiving holiday, i95Ballerz.com was able to reach Oak Hill Academy standout and D.C. area resident Nolan Smith. According to him, the present is great, while the future may be even brighter.
“It’s going good” said the 6’2”, 185lb Smith while shopping at Largo Town Center – the outdoor shopping center erected on the old Capital Centre grounds, close to the home stadium of Washington’s National Football League franchise, Fed Ex Field. “We are 7-0, and have a couple of big games already”.
The senior captain shared he’s putting in work, to the tune of “25 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, 3 assists”, in large part due to his physical condition. “I’m healthy”, compared to last season and this summer, where he fought through a serious of nagging injuries, including knee ailments. “I got my legs and everything back to a 100%”.
Nolan Smith, (second from left, front row), has benefited greatly from playing for DC Assault (AAU). This picture was taken this spring, during early AAU action.
Nolan also feels his responsibilities at Oak Hill – which include not only a captaincy, but playing combo (guard), but mostly the 2 (shooting guard)” - are preparing him for those he will encounter at Duke University next year. “I’m playing multiple positions” he said, which will be repeated for the Blue Devils. “Next year, I will play the one (point guard), but at the same time, the two”.
Being primarily a point guard at Duke next season will entail competing with the school’s existing floor leader, Greg Paulus. “We’re cool. We talk” revealed Smith of their relationship. But that respect and the opportunity to play with Greg will not deter Nolan from competing for minutes; a reality Paulus knows, probably welcomes, given his competitive nature.
Playing for Duke’s highly regarded coach, Mike Krzyzewski, and the rest of Duke’s staff also excites Smith. “I can’t wait. I feel I will grow as a player” said Nolan regarding working his future head coach. “He’s coached some of the best to play college basketball, like Grant Hill and Jay Williams”.
The team’s Associate Head Coach, Johnny Dawkins – a long time family friend who played with Nolan’s father, Derek Smith for the National Basketball Association’s Philadelphia 76’ers – is another Duke figure Smith is looking forward to playing for: Nolan labeled their relationship “real close”.
Before playing in Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium next year – though Oak Hill does have an upcoming January 30th tilt with west coast power Mater Dei in that venerable facility – Nolan identified several points of improvement he will address. “Just getting stronger” he said, “and working on my jump shot. Developing a quicker release and being able to get it (his shot) off when I get past defenders”.
Blue Devil partisans will witness the fruits of that labor, as Smith will definitely hit that Durham, NC campus ready to display his package, which includes skills, athleticism, intelligence, and a burning competitiveness.
He’s sure to make an impact, on Tobacco Road.