Mr. Smith Stays in Los Angeles

On December 2, 2007, the USC Trojans dropped a hard-fought game to the Kansas Jayhawks, who would go on to win the National Championship.  A Mario Chalmers three-point basket with 24 seconds remaining gave his team a five-point lead and ended any thought of a Trojan upset victory.  And though it was difficult to console Head Coach, Tim Floyd after his team came up short, Evan Smith and his father tried to do just that.

Smith, at that time a junior at Calabasas High School, spoke with Floyd and became the Trojans’ first verbal commitment for the Class of 2009.

Evan’s father, Gavin, who played basketball at UCLA from 1975-1976, joked that while the news probably didn’t turn the day completely around for Floyd, it was exciting nonetheless.

“I really wanted to commit that day,” the younger Smith said.  “Coach Floyd is a great coach and he’s doing some really big things with the program.  It’s amazing how much it’s grown in a few years.”

Smith (6-7, 210) will probably play the two or three position for the Trojans and his athleticism allows him to bounce all over the court.  He finished his junior season averaging nearly 14 points per game for the Coyotes and was named to the Marmonte League first team.  Smith’s game extends well out to the three-point line and although he is not a back-to-the-basket player, he possesses a nice mid-range game.

Though the Kansas game took place more than six months ago, Smith’s commitment remained largely under the radar.  It was mentioned briefly, but then dropped, although Smith was unconcerned.

“I’m not big on having the spotlight,” Smith said.  “It was during my school season and I didn’t want the extra talk about just me.  I’m just a basketball player and I wanted to be a part of my team.”

Now, Smith is comfortable sharing news of his commitment, though his focus is still on the upcoming season.  He said he is looking forward to the last year of being “the man” for his high school team and wants to lead his teammates to the playoffs.  

In order to do that, Smith will spend some of this summer working out at his future home.  Although the Trojan coaches are not allowed at the summer workouts, Smith’s proximity to the Galen Center allows him to stop by whenever he wants.

In fact, Smith specifically mentioned the Trojans’ arena in discussing why he chose to attend USC.  

“It’s a tremendous recruiting tool,” he said.  “There isn’t a guy in the country who wouldn’t want to play on that floor.”

Smith knew the Galen Center was an improvement over the Sports Arena, although it wasn’t from first-hand experience.

“I was a Bruin,” Smith said, when asked whether he’d been inside the Trojans’ most recent home.  

That’s a fact that is not lost on his father.

“It’s kind of weird for him to see his son wearing ‘SC gear and going to ‘SC games,” Smith said, adding that he’s not yet been able to get his dad to sport the cardinal and gold.  “It’s a little hard for him, but he’s proud of me and definitely supports me.”

The Bruins were one of the teams Smith narrowed his search to before ultimately selecting the Trojans.  He was also looking at Washington State, California and Oregon, although he said the lure of remaining in southern California was too much to overcome.  

Smith said that the Trojans initially recruited him because his high school coach knew USC Assistant Coach, Gib Arnold.  After Arnold saw him play a few times, Smith was invited to USC’s Elite Camp.

“I played well in front of Coach Floyd at the Elite camp last year,” Smith said.  “They offered me that day.”

Smith has spoken with Floyd several times since then and is excited about the 2009 season.

“I’m just looking forward to playing college basketball,” Smith said.  “I’m really excited to play with the guys who will be there.  USC has had some of the best players in the country the last few years.”

As for his own expectations, Smith is quite grounded.

“I’m going to get what I earn,” he said.  “I’m looking to come in as a freshman, work out, improve my game and be able to play.”

Smith had a chance to speak with Coach Floyd about the schedule for his freshman year and though he says it will be filled with “basketball powerhouses,” one team will probably stick out more than the others for Smith and his father.

“I’ll be looking forward to playing UCLA,” he said.  “I grew up a Bruin, but I’m a Trojan now.  Those are going to be the biggest games.  This house will be pretty intense.”