Smits Commits to Valpo!

[LaPorteAveApostle]

From my Fleer basketball card-collecting days I seem to remember his father is 7'4" but just 228.  Definitely he could have a few more inches in him, but the struggle will.

The good part is his father wants him developed by a pro big man, so Roger Powell won't be going anywhere for fear of angering someone TEN INCHES TALLER THAN HE IS

[LaPorteAveApostle]

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/30308691-556/mens-basketball-big-man-derrik-smits-commits-to-valparaiso.html#.VDNFPEvTUkE

MONEY QUOTE

"His name got him a lot of attention early on, but his play on the court put it over the top," Busick said. "People are intrigued by a skilled big man, and you don't see many 7-footers doing the things he does. He's a future pro. It would not surprise me if Derrik was drafted into the NBA at some point in the future."

STOP THAT YOU ARE SALIVATING ALL OVER YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARD

[bbtds]

http://posttrib.suntimes.com/sports/30308691-556/mens-basketball-big-man-derrik-smits-commits-to-valparaiso.html#.VDNFPEvTUkE

MONEY QUOTE

"His name got him a lot of attention early on, but his play on the court put it over the top," Busick said. "People are intrigued by a skilled big man, and you don't see many 7-footers doing the things he does. He's a future pro. It would not surprise me if Derrik was drafted into the NBA at some point in the future."

STOP THAT YOU ARE SALIVATING ALL OVER YOUR COMPUTER KEYBOARD

Let me get that for you. As you know keyboards are supposed to be dry.

[wh]

VALPARAISO STRIKES ON TRAIL WITH DERRIK SMITS
Trevor Andershock — Contributing Editor - NY2LASPORTS.COM

http://ny2lasports.com/article_one.aspx?articleid=2482

[78crusader]

My brother lives in Zionsville and follows the team. His thoughts are fine young man, fine family, nice skills, good hands, good shooting touch, good footwork, not aggressive, doesn't play with a high motor.

Paul

[wh]

From the NWI Times:

Son of Indiana Pacers star Rik Smits commits to the Crusaders

VALPARAISO | Derrik Smits, the son of former Indiana Pacers star Rik Smits, has verbally committed to play basketball at Valparaiso University.

Smits, who will be a senior at Zionsville and plays for the Grassroots Indiana AAU Program, will enroll at Valparaiso next fall and is expected to sign his National Letter of Intent next month.

"I'm excited to say I've found my future home," Smits tweeted Monday morning. "For the next four years I will be attending Valparaiso University."

Smits is the latest Valparaiso player whose father played in the National Basketball Association. Valparaiso landed the sons of former NBA players Geert Hammink (Shane) and Cliff Levingston (Chandler) this summer.

Both Grassroots Indiana coach Jim Reamer and Zionsville coach Shaun Busick confirmed Smits' commitment later Monday. Smits chose Valparaiso over offers from Clemson, Ball State, Indiana State and UNC-Greensboro among others. Programs such as Indiana, Butler and Purdue had also expressed interest throughout the recruiting process.

"Valparaiso is getting one of the most skilled big men in the state," Busick said. "Derrik has been getting better every year. He's finally starting to grow into his body."

Smits is currently 7-feet tall, some four inches shorter than his father, and is 230 pounds. Reamer suggested the plan for Smits will be to get up to 260 pounds when he begins playing for the Crusaders.

"When he gets up to 260 or 270 pounds and is a force inside, people are going to regret missing out on Derrik," Reamer said.

Smits hit his growth spurt in eighth grade when he grew four inches in five months. The Zionsville product averaged 10.6 points and 3.6 rebounds while blocking 1.8 shots per game as a junior last season. Smits finished the season shooting 54 percent from the floor and 71 percent from the free-throw line.

"He's his fathers' son in terms of skill development," Reamer said. "Turning that weight into muscle and getting into the college workout plan is going to do wonders for him."

Smits should be able to earn immediate playing time as a freshman as the Crusaders are losing their only proven big man (Vashil Fernandez) along with David Chadwick after this season. Valparaiso appears to have one open scholarship remaining for the 2015-16 season.

Rik Smits played his entire 12-season NBA career with the Pacers, debuting in 1988-89.

http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/basketball/college/son-of-indiana-pacers-star-rik-smits-commits-to-the/article_defb3990-5199-5348-b92d-d521ba30f94a.html 

[VULB#62]

My brother lives in Zionsville and follows the team. His thoughts are fine young man, fine family, nice skills, good hands, good shooting touch, good footwork, not aggressive, doesn't play with a high motor.

Paul

He's a young kid who, because of his height and lack of comparable opponent size, has not had to be that aggressive in order to excell. In my opinion, and in our supportive environment he will have time to mature and develop that killer instict while still getting significant minutes.

Side note to my conversation with our admissions director:  The Smitts expressed a desire for a family-like, supportive environment  for Derrick.  The admissions department simply told them:  Walk around campus.  Ask strangers questions. Find out for yourself. that startegy was a great expression of confidence in the school we are, and apparently they did do that and they found the true Valpo.

[valpotx]

Awesome news!  Now, let's get that Lithuanian to get a big man rotation over the next 4 years!

We have some really good recruits in our program right now.  I am excited to see how we do this season, but especially 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 .

[valpo84]

Derrik reminds me of Chris Ensminger, late growth spurt, thin but big frame to grow into. Trying to temper enthusiasm, but when someone down the hall at work (Purdue fan) breaks the news, it's really, really tough.

By the way, looking forward to the father-son game....

[vu72]

Given the fact that most of our true big men have come from overseas, I suspect that the fanfare for Derrick is bigger than just about any other American Big other then Kenny Harris.  We were getting a 5 star in Moussa Gueye before he decided to move on to Alabama.  I suspect Derrick will be better then our stone handed friend.

[Pgmado]

Rik. Derrik. Rik. Derrik. There are no c's.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Nor on his report card, either.

If anyone puts a C in their names, I will smites them.

[vu72]

Rik. Derrik. Rik. Derrik. There are no c's.

Oh yes, the spelling police!  Guilty as charged. I have had 24 hours to get it right. Be careful--the spelling /grammar police will be  monitoring your columns!!

[valpotx]

Kenny Harris would have been great his JR/SR years.  I remember Brad Daugherty commenting on one of our games that he had such soft hands for a big man, and would do great things for us.

[vu72]

This service has Derrik (no c!) ranked as the 8th best in the state and number 2 center.  With a strong senior year I would think he would be a lock for the All Star Team.

http://247sports.com/Season/2015-Basketball/RecruitRankings?State=IN

[Pgmado]

Was making a general PSA there, for myself included. Trying to convince my mind not to add a C. Not trying to be the spelling police.

[FWalum]

Very optimistic about Derrik's upside.  7' tall and left handed is a great base to build upon.  After watching some video, the aforementioned deficiencies of strength, rebounding and tenacity are pretty evident, but so are the nice touch, soft hands and passing ability.  I think this get could also have some affect in the stands and on the recruiting trail.  Very very happy.

Here are a few videos taken by local media when Rik and Derrik have come to the Fort for Speice events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFlYEpyRBjY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYqQa1zzmTg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i410q3HLaqQ  In case you can't tell, the interviewer, Tom Davis News Sentinel Sports Editor, is a Butler Grad.  We get more Butler c%@p in his paper than we do articles on IPFW.  Check this out http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/125453/sports-editors-advice-to-basketball-recruit-called-unprofessional-if-not-unethical/ I am surprised he hasn't gone after Derrik.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9povGsAd4w

[LaPorteAveApostle]

Was making a general PSA there, for myself included. Trying to convince my mind not to add a C.

luckily bryce convinced him, and added a C

[FWalum]

I tweeted to Tom Davis, News Sentinel Sports Editor and Butler Grad, about Derrik committing to VU and this was his slightly backhanded reply to me.

[tweet]519883096779657217[/tweet]

[IndyValpo]

I tweeted to Tom Davis, News Sentinel Sports Editor and Butler Grad, about Derrik committing to VU and this was his slightly backhanded reply to me.

Fortunately the opinion of a Fort Wayne columnist has less than zero impact on anything. 

[valpo64]

Regarding FW alum's comments about Tom Davis of the FW News-Sentinel, he is absolutely correct.  I have personally spoken to him and also had several e-mail conversations with him over the past couple of years.  This guy is a jerk.  It is because of people like him newspaper readership continues to decline.  The comment questioning his ethics is spot on. He must keep plenty of Butler Kool-Aid in his refrigerator.  He told me that Butler has the best Div. 1 program in the State.  If you ask him about any controversial things regarding the BU program, he knows nothing about those things, including recruiting.  When talking to him about the VU program, he didn't think it was relevant.  Doesn't every good prospect want to attend Butler???  You may be correct FW, we might see a comment about Mr. Smits in the future.

[vu72]

I tweeted to Tom Davis, News Sentinel Sports Editor and Butler Grad, about Derrik committing to VU and this was his slightly backhanded reply to me.

[tweet]519883096779657217[/tweet]

Not sure he had any "high major" offers.  Butler, Clemson and Xavier managed to think he was worth an offer!  Maybe those are "High Mid-Majors"  or is that "Low High-Majors" ??   

[a3uge]

Wow, what a hack.

[bbtds]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guV7u5JPNVk


Interesting that Derrik emphasizes the shooting while his dad and coach busick want him to play more with his back to the basket. What will Bryce emphasize when he gets to Valpo?

If Coach Powell is still at Valpo he'll have a huge impact on Derrik.

Let's throw in a Smits dunk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-YYno5kcjk

[atkins]

Mr. Davis of Fort Wayne apparently knows the high-major coaches.  I would be interested in knowing who he considers "high-major."  It is very possible that IU, UK, UNC and their ilk were not heavily recruiting Smits, but I can't imagine that they all told Mr. Davis.  I have never met any high-major coaches, although I am friends with the best friend of one of the highest of them all.  I will have to ask my friend if he can ask his best friend to confirm Mr. Davis' comment.   

At least Mr. Davis was courteous enough to reply to the question asked of him.  He's certainly correct that Smits will be a good fit at Valpo.