Smiley Focuses On Four
Roydell Smiley, a 6-4, 200 pound swingman/shooting guard from Southeastern C.C. in West Burlington, Ia., has narrowed his focus to four colleges this spring.
JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com spoke with Southeastern Head Coach Joe O'Brien on Tuesday afternoon, and he said that the four schools are Southern California, Kansas State, UNLV and Wisconsin.
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In fact, UNLV Head Coach Charlie Spoonhour and Kansas State Head Coach Jim Wooldridge are expected to meet with Smiley this week as the contact period for Division I programs starts on Wednesday, Apr. 3.
Smiley visited Southern California in September, but did not sign with the Trojan program in the fall. Though speculation has been rampant that Smiley will end up at USC (some have erroneously reported his commitment), O'Brien said he expects Roydell to take some visits this spring.
"He'll probably take one or two visits so that he has something to compare to USC," he said. "By the end of this week, we will know for sure if he will take visits and where he will take those trips."
Wisconsin is involved, but O'Brien said he was not sure if the Badgers were sending a coach out to Iowa to meet with Smiley.
A native of Seattle, Wash., Smiley averaged 15 points, three rebounds and three assists per game for the Blackhawks, swinging between three different positions.
Smiley hyperextended his knee in Southeastern's final game of the 2001-2002 season, which was a loss to Moberly (MO) Area C.C. in the District 11 title game. Had the Blackhawks won that game, they would have made their second trip to the NJCAA Tournament in three years.
Back in 2000, Southeastern won the national title thanks in large part to the efforts of current UConn senior Johnnie Selvie.
As for Smiley's knee, O'Brien said it is sore, but an MRI revealed no damage and it will not require any surgery.
Smiley should have a final decision sometime during the spring signing period, which begins next Wednesday, April 10.
Rivalshoops.com will keep you posted on his situation, so stay tuned.