Smits Commits to Valpo!

[agibson]

Here's some of the story
http://heldenonline.nl/rubrieken/helden-in-het-nieuws/the-other-dunking-dutchman
or it translates tolerably well from the Dutch.

Maybe this link will take you directly to the google.com/translate translation

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fheldenonline.nl%2Frubrieken%2Fhelden-in-het-nieuws%2Fthe-other-dunking-dutchman&edit-text=

[agibson]

This tweet was also good, today

[tweet]580409754788474880[/tweet]

[vu72]

Derrik selected as a second team all state player by American Family Insurance, as announced by USA Today.  The first team center was Mr. Basketball.

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/04/16/indiana-high-school-basketball-all-state-team-2015/25876361/

[zvillehaze]

Here's an article discussing the selection of the Indiana All-Star team.  http://usatodayhss.com/2015/taking-a-closer-look-at-the-potential-indiana-allstar-roster  It's very competitive given that Indiana typically sends 30+ kids to D-I schools every year.  As I've stated before, the selection is somewhat subjective because they try to get representation from all areas of the state and they use the last few spots to fill in positions of need.  Remember, this isn't necessarily picking the best 12-14 players, but also putting together a team best equipped to compete against Kentucky.  Best of luck to Derrik!

[wh]

The IN All-Star team aside, zville, I think I recall you saying you watched several Valpo games this year so presumably you know about as much about us as anyone.  As you know we have 1 slot to fill and it happens to be Derrik's position. Oh, how I would love to have a 7 foot freshman waltz in and contribute from the get-go. Or, is it more likely IUO that Derrik will need a lot more time to adjust to the rigors of playing against bigger, quicker, far more physical competition?

[vu72]

Derrik scored 8 in the North-South All Star game:

http://usatodayhss.com/2015/standouts-impress-as-south-sweeps-north-in-indiana-all-star-games

[valpopal]

Derrik has been selected for the Indiana Senior All-Star team. The full roster in linked article: http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/04/20/indiana-senior-boys-all-stars-2015-high-school-indiana-all-stars/26069547/

[vu72]

Derrik has been selected for the Indiana Senior All-Star team. The full roster in linked article: http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/04/20/indiana-senior-boys-all-stars-2015-high-school-indiana-all-stars/26069547/

That is wonderful news!  I believe the last Indiana All Star for Valpo was Matt Kenney.

[zvillehaze]

The IN All-Star team aside, zville, I think I recall you saying you watched several Valpo games this year so presumably you know about as much about us as anyone.  As you know we have 1 slot to fill and it happens to be Derrik's position. Oh, how I would love to have a 7 foot freshman waltz in and contribute from the get-go. Or, is it more likely IUO that Derrik will need a lot more time to adjust to the rigors of playing against bigger, quicker, far more physical competition?

My guess is that both Smits and Relvao will be brought along somewhat slowly.  I'm not saying those guys wouldn't be able to contribute right away, but it's really driven by all the depth that Valpo is returning.  Assuming Williams is back to 100%, I could see some 3 guard lineups just to get all those guys some minutes, as well as Nickerson moving back to his natural small forward spot.  A reasonable guess on minutes might be Carter (25), Williams (20), Walkers (25x2), Peters (30), Skara (20), Nickerson (20) and Adekoya (20).  That leaves only 15 minutes for Hammink/Smits/Relvao, and I'd think that Hammink has an advantage there given his experience with two years in the SEC and a full year with the Valpo program.

Just my  .  I do know it will be very difficult for Bryce to get everyone the minutes they want.  If he can convince everyone to play as hard as they can for 15 to 25 minutes per game, Valpo could use a rotation very similar to what Kentucky did this year. 

[justducky]

My guess is that both Smits and Relvao will be brought along somewhat slowly.  I'm not saying those guys wouldn't be able to contribute right away, but it's really driven by all the depth that Valpo is returning.  Assuming Williams is back to 100%, I could see some 3 guard lineups just to get all those guys some minutes, as well as Nickerson moving back to his natural small forward spot.  A reasonable guess on minutes might be Carter (25), Williams (20), Walkers (25x2), Peters (30), Skara (20), Nickerson (20) and Adekoya (20).  That leaves only 15 minutes for Hammink/Smits/Relvao, and I'd think that Hammink has an advantage there given his experience with two years in the SEC and a full year with the Valpo program.

The cap to what the 15-16 team can achieve will be defined by its contributions from the center position. Could a greatly improved Adekoya help lift this team to an at large quality level? If that answer is no then expect a fast track development pace giving Smits more early season playing time than he might otherwise deserve.

Derrik is going to receive a first class trial by fire education. I hope he can pass.

[valpo64]

Per FW Journal Gazette yesterday,  VU is reportedly recruiting 6'7" forward Brachen Hazen from Columbia City, IN.  He was quoted as saying other schools recruiting him the hardest are Creighton, Central Michigan and Ball State.  He plays  for Spiece Indy Heat on the AAU circuit.  He also has a brother, Parker, a 6'5" swingman who is a year behind Brachen.  Sorry, this post probably belongs in another topic area.

[historyman]

Per FW Journal Gazette yesterday,  VU is reportedly recruiting 6'7" forward Brachen Hazen from Columbia City, IN.  He was quoted as saying other schools recruiting him the hardest are Creighton, Central Michigan and Ball State.  He plays  for Spiece Indy Heat on the AAU circuit.  He also has a brother, Parker, a 6'5" swingman who is a year behind Brachen.  Sorry, this post probably belongs in another topic area.

Is his high school coach the one who was at Valpo HS for a couple of years and then went back to Columbia City?

[valpo64]

May have been, but I'm not sure.

[bbtds]

Per FW Journal Gazette yesterday,  VU is reportedly recruiting 6'7" forward Brachen Hazen from Columbia City, IN.  He was quoted as saying other schools recruiting him the hardest are Creighton, Central Michigan and Ball State.  He plays  for Spiece Indy Heat on the AAU circuit.  He also has a brother, Parker, a 6'5" swingman who is a year behind Brachen.  Sorry, this post probably belongs in another topic area.

Is his high school coach the one who was at Valpo HS for a couple of years and then went back to Columbia City?

Yes, Chris Benedict was head coach at Columbia City HS then coached at Valpo HS for two years (2007-08 & 2008-09) and then went back to CCHS and is Brachen Hazen's high school coach.

http://coach.homestead.com/files/Chris.Benedict.htm

[valpopal]

Derrik Smits had a very good game, scoring 12 pts. on 6-10 shooting, and he added 8 rebounds, plus 2 blocks and a steal, in only 18 minutes of play for the Indiana All-Stars in their win against the Indiana Junior All-Stars tonight.

[FWalum]

Smits has Big Game in All Star Tuneup

[valpopal]

Audio of a nice radio interview with Derrik: https://soundcloud.com/sports1430/derrik-smits?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

[valpopal]

The Indiana Junior All-Stars came back to upset the Senior All-Stars tonight, 103-89. Derrik had 6 pts. & 4 rebs. in only 12 minutes of play limited by an ankle injury  but apparently not serious. 

[valpopal]

Derrik had a good game tonight in 88-77 win by Indiana All-Stars over Kentucky All-Stars. He had 8 pts (3-6 fg, 2-2 ft), 5 rebs, 3 blocks, a steal, and no turnovers in just 18 minutes of play. Next stop Valparaiso! 

[vu72]

Based on Derrik's tweet, there may be a small adjustment to playing D1 basketball!

First workout ✅
First time puking during practice ✅
Welcome to college 😂

[a3uge]

...and he's officially redshirting [emoji22]

[FWalum]

Really quite here about this major development.  Liked what I saw from Derrick on the Canadian trip, He has skills and will be tough to handle in the future.  Sad that the four month recovery will not give him a lot of time to practice against Vashil considering his and Bryce's statements about how much better he had become because of practicing against the big guy.

[classof2014]

Tradeoff is freshman year Smits verse 5th year senior Smits; good tradeoff in my mind. Unfortunate that he does lose this season but in the long run this could be beneficial.

[vu72]

Had the chance to meet him while on campus during homecoming. I really fine young man.  It was with mixed emotions that I read the news.  Sorry for him and for Valpo that he has to sit this one out but at the same time thinking that an extra year to mature and grow into his very tall body will help him prepare for basketball beyond college.  All the best to Derrik. 

[a3uge]

I thought he was a bit raw to immediately contribute significantly, especially on the defensive end. At least, that's what I'm telling myself to cope with the news.