MCI Post-Grad Makes Pick
He may not be Larry Bird but Indiana State just got a steal.
Khristian Smith, a post-graduate forward from Maine Central Institute, committed to the Sycamores this weekend while at home for Thanksgiving break.
Smith, an Indianapolis native, stood out as one of the best available 2011 prospects at last weekend's National Prep Showcase.
He opened with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists against Nia Prep on Friday and followed that up with 19 points on 8-14 shooting along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 0 turnovers in a win over Northfield Mount Hermon on Sunday.
Smith had originally committed to Cincinnati during his senior season at Pike High School but opted to spend his post-graduate year at MCI where he re-opened his recruitment.
The Tribune Star broke the news of Smith's commitment earlier this weekend.
"I just wanted to pick where I wanted to go to early on and the name and playing in the Big East drew me into it. Once I got to prep school, I began to focus on myself and what was good for me, so I re-opened my recruitment," Smith told the paper.
Only a few weeks into his post-graduate season at MCI, Smith told the paper that he believes the high level of competition will help him prepare for a career in the Missouri Valley.
"It’s a big jump from high school. There’s a lot of good players. It’s a lot more physical and a lot faster. It gets me more prepared for college. It’s opened my eyes a lot,” Smith said.
Smith is a six-foot-five athletic forward who is at his best slashing to the basket but also showed an ability to score with his back to the basket this weekend as well as an evolving three-point stroke.
He selected Indiana State over schools like Evansville, Drake, IUPUI, and Morehead State but was expected to see recruitment from higher levels following his performance last weekend.
Khristian Smith