Roydell Smiley Has Not Committed
Roydell Smiley, a 6-4, 200 pound swingman/small forward from Southeastern C.C. in Iowa, has not committed to Southern California, according to Blackhawks' Head Coach Joe O'Brien.
JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com caught up with O'Brien this week and asked him about the status of his sophomore wing player from Seattle, Wash.
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Despite a number of internet reports that have Smiley as a USC commitment, O'Brien said that those accounts are premature.
"For whatever reason, he has come to me and he wants to know who else is interested in him," O'Brien said. "I don't think he has ruled out USC, but I think he just wants to see what else is out there."
Smiley was referred to Southeastern C.C. by former Trojan Asst. Coach Silvey Dominguez, who is now an assistant coach at Texas El Paso.
Smiley visited Southern California back in early September, but the Trojan program was caught in a bit of a scholarship crunch after landing a pair of big men and securing an oral commitment from point guard Brandon Brooks in the fall.
In addition to the situation with Southern Cal, O'Brien said he typically does not allow his sophomore to sign early.
"We are not opening the floodgates and saying that he's wide open," O'Brien said. "But if people call, I bounce it off of Roy and tell him who has called."
O'Brien said that the dynamics have changed a bit with Southern Cal because of the turnover with the assistant coaches. Not only did Dominguez leave USC last summer, but so did longtime Henry Bibby aide Dave Miller.
"He said that my guy [Dominguez] left Southern Cal, so he is kind of curious as to what is out there," O'Brien added. "And that was pretty much a direct quote from Roy."
"I asked him point blank -- did you verbally commit, because that is coming out now," O'Brien continued. "And he said no, he did not."
Back in the fall, Washington and Texas had also expressed interest in Smiley, in addition to Southern Cal. O'Brien declined to name any specific suitors at this stage of the game, because things are still evolving with his recruitment.
Smiley averages 14.9 points, three rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Blackhawks.
O'Brien said that Smiley is very solid in the classroom. He has boosted his GPA to a 2.6 and should only need one course in the summer to graduate.
JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com will keep you up to date on Smiley's situation this winter and into the spring, so stay tuned.