NEWS4U JANUARY 2023 | SPORTS
HOOP
Dreams Heating up: Reitz High School standout Dru Smith striving to make his mark in the NBA
L
ike so many talented high school
the University of Missouri. There, he was
hoop dreams. And on November 25, 2022,
basketball players before him, Dru
forced to sit out a season due to NCAA
Smith once again set foot on a NBA court,
Smith's head was filled with hoop
transfer rules.
suiting up against the Washington Wizards
dreams, of making it to the highest level
and logging 16 minutes of playing time.
of competition: the NBA. As a senior at
But Smith quickly rebounded, so to speak,
Reitz High School, the Evansville native
becoming key to the Tigers' success during
Smith next managed five points over
averaged nearly 21 points per game and
his junior and senior years. Not only did
21 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks
was named to the Indiana All-Star team.
he build up an impressive scoring average
on November 27 before seeing limited
College ball beckoned but despite offers
but led the SEC in steals. Upon graduation,
action in the December 6 game versus
from numerous regional and national
the next step seemed clear: enter the NBA
Detroit. And though his status with the
universities, the promising 6'3" guard
draft. However, Smith's relatively short
Heat is currently up in the air again, rest
stayed put, signing on with UE under the
stature was seen as a potential detriment
assured he's working tirelessly to get
tutelage of head coach Marty Simmons -
- no team seemed willing to take a chance
back in the game - no matter what it takes.
himself a former collegiate star and just the
on the determined guard. But, undeterred,
Smith stands as an inspiration to anyone
right guy to show Smith the way to bigger
he joined the Miami Heat for the 2021
who has a dream in life; his perseverance
things. But it didn't quite go as planned;
Summer League and eventually signed a
is a testament to the undying spirit of
though he made great strides during his
contract with the storied franchise. Thus
competition that fuels so many of us.
freshman and sophomore years on the
began a roller coaster ride that saw Smith
Hopefully he'll be back on the bench by
squad, even being named to the MVC
waived multiple times and reassigned
the time this goes to print but regardless,
Most Improved Team, the sudden exit of
as an affiliate player with the Sioux Falls
the tri-state is supporting him all the way,
Simmons prompted Smith to jump ship to
Skyforce. Yet he refused to let go of his
like a trailer on a fast break.
" S M I T H S TA N D S A S A N I N S P I R AT I O N T O A N Y O N E W H O H A S A D R E A M I N L I F E . " 46 | JANUARY 2023
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com