Smith Should Fit In At UVA
Devin Smith, a 6-5, 195 pound freshman shooting guard from Coffeyville C.C. in Coffeyville, Kan., told us tonight that he will sign a letter of intent with Virginia either tomorrow or on Friday.
"I committed to Virginia tonight," Smith said. "I felt it was the best place for me. I looked at a lot of different things. I just enjoyed my visit at Virginia a lot. I got along great with the players of all three schools I visited."
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Playing time was very important to Smith. "Even if Roger Mason doesn't leave I feel I can play plenty of minutes there," Smith told us tonight. "If Roger leaves, then I will have an even better chance of being a big part of the offense."
Smith told us he plans on being in Charlottesville sometime during the summer. "I want to get going as early as possible," Smith said. "I am really excited about playing in the ACC. Virginia has a great chance to make the tournament next year and go far."
Smith also considered Iowa and Kansas. "The coaches have been called," Smith said. "I really had three great visits. They are all great schools."
But Smith said the balance of social life, atmosphere, academics, and athletics was too much to pass on playing at Virginia. "My family is really happy," said the Delaware native. "They can come down and watch me play in person. It's going to be fun playing in front of them."
Smith added: "It was a tough decision. But the combination of getting along with the players, the coaches and loving the campus was very attractive to me. I think with Virginia's style of play I can score some points there too."
Smith visited Virginia, Iowa, and Kansas. "Iowa and Kansas are great programs too," Smith said. "That's why it was a tough decision."
Because he was a qualifier out of high school, Smith can leave Coffeyville after spending just one year at the junior college. All he needs to do is maintain a 2.0 GPA and transfer 24 credit hours into a Division I program in the fall.
JUCO Junction/Rivalshoops.com had the chance to catch Coffeyville seven times this season, and Smith showed marked improvement from December to March.