Smits Commits to Valpo!

[valporun]

This was reported by Bryce and Derrick in the postgame press conference. It will be tough not having two 7-footers to rotate in during conference play, but knowing that the team and Vashil can adjust to being without someone is going to be very nice come the important stretch of February games that lead to the HL Tourney.

To be honest, after seeing some of his numbers after games last season, I wasn't expecting this season to be anything more than a year of growth for Derrick. I wasn't looking to put a lot of pressure on him because he still has skills and a body to develop for the college game.

[agibson]

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.

That would be a shame, for sure. I don't know exactly _how_ important Gueye was in Vashil's development, but he seems to get a lot of credit.

Heal well, and quickly, Derrik!

[wh]

Saw the Smits family at last night's game sitting in the front row of the chair backs (ample leg room for a guy 7-4 ). I think it speaks well of them that they drove up from Zville to cheer the team on in a mismatch game that Derrik was not going to play in. I also noticed Rik moving around at half time and stopping to talk to a lot of people.

[agibson]

Saw the Smits family at last night's game sitting in the front row of the chair backs (ample leg room for a guy 7-4 ).

Could be tough to keep his feet out of the game!

[vu72]

Derrik will bring an entirely different game then Vashil.  I'm sure Derrik will block some shots but his  real strength, and something we don't get much of from Vashil, will be his ability to step back and hit the 12 foot jump shot. 

[VULB#62]

He also seems to have soft hands for pick and rolls to the basket.

[VULB#62]

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.

That would be a shame, for sure. I don't know exactly _how_ important Gueye was in Vashil's development, but he seems to get a lot of credit.

Heal well, and quickly, Derrik!

It's been about three months since it was announced that Derrik's would red shirt, correct the issue with his foot and rehab. Does anyone have any new information on his progress? My curiosity kind of centers on a few things:

What was done to correct the condition?
Has he been using this time to hit the weights and at least build up his upper body and abdominal strength?
Has he been able to continue to shoot and work on the parts of his game that are not dependent on his foot -- whatever that could be (could just be free throws )?

[historyman]

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.

That would be a shame, for sure. I don't know exactly _how_ important Gueye was in Vashil's development, but he seems to get a lot of credit.

Heal well, and quickly, Derrik!

It's been about three months since it was announced that Derrik's would red shirt, correct the issue with his foot and rehab. Does anyone have any new information on his progress? My curiosity kind of centers on a few things:

What was done to correct the condition?
Has he been using this time to hit the weights and at least build up his upper body and abdominal strength?
Has he been able to continue to shoot and work on the parts of his game that are not dependent on his foot -- whatever that could be (could just be free throws )?

No visible limp or anything. He doesn't take part in warmups but that may be because we're trying to avoid another broken knee cap.

[valporun]

As a redshirt, he can't dress for games, even in warmups. I don't know about any specific progress, as I don't live close enough to Valpo to sneak any looks at practice.

[historyman]

As a redshirt, he can't dress for games, even in warmups. I don't know about any specific progress, as I don't live close enough to Valpo to sneak any looks at practice.

So Lexus was just standing on the side of the court and got his knee cap broken while red shirting?

[vu72]

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.

That would be a shame, for sure. I don't know exactly _how_ important Gueye was in Vashil's development, but he seems to get a lot of credit.

Heal well, and quickly, Derrik!

It's been about three months since it was announced that Derrik's would red shirt, correct the issue with his foot and rehab. Does anyone have any new information on his progress? My curiosity kind of centers on a few things:

What was done to correct the condition?
Has he been using this time to hit the weights and at least build up his upper body and abdominal strength?
Has he been able to continue to shoot and work on the parts of his game that are not dependent on his foot -- whatever that could be (could just be free throws )?

Wow!  That is weird, as I was thinking the same thing.  How is his rehab going?  A good subject for an article by Brandon Vickery or Paul Oren.

[valporun]

It would be a good article, if Rod and Bryce allow any information to be released about it.

[VULB#62]

My thought was that "when you get lemons, make lemonade." Derrik's was handed a bad situation but the bright side is a great opportunity to develop some bulk and greater strength. He's gonna be pounded on next season down low when he tries to post up as well as when opponents try to post him up.

[Kyle321n]

I don't think Lexus had redshirted officially when he got hurt the second time. I was at that game and while not in warm ups he was wearing shorts and running on the sideline during shoot around

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

[bbtds]

I don't think Lexus had redshirted officially when he got hurt the second time. I was at that game and while not in warm ups he was wearing shorts and running on the sideline during shoot around

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

I may be mistaken but hadn't Lexus redshirted when he tore his ACL in summer work outs? I believe he was in the middle of redshirting when he later broke his knee cap during conference season.

[vu72]

Lots of updates on Derrik's twitter page.  He is shooting a bunch of shots!

https://twitter.com/smitsderrik

[Kyle321n]

He already had a good midrange jumper, I bet it's only better next season because of this. Where he's missing out with the injury is the ability work on his post up skills against Vashil and work on the defensive end of the game. Hopefully we sign someone who is 6-10 or bigger so Derrik can have practice buddy next season.

[agibson]

[tweet]696908594592219136[/tweet]

[agibson]

[tweet]712731659544596480[/tweet]

Hopefully this means a couple of months of informal practice with Vashil and company. And maybe even a few real practices.

[ValpoDad89]

My daughter is a Freshmen (and on the Dance team!!!!) but she and Derrick are buds and Derrick told her that his foot fracture was initially misdiagnosed by his initial Doctor and they in turn went to a specialist who said he had more "damage" to his foot than originally diagnosed. I believe this doctor did surgery in November and told him that the best would be to sit out this year and let it heal properly with no aggravations that basketball would bring. He said within 6 MOnths he would be good to go so it appears he is in line to heal. In talking with Rik after one of the games, he's glad his son chose Valpo, and cannot wait for him to get on the court so he can finally see him.

If anyone has "noticed" Rik (and many times his wife) are at EVERY game. They are BIG fans of VALPO and anyone with a right mind would be as well!!!!

[Smj]

I am still thinking Derrick will be a bit of a project early but I think he will definitely pay off.   (Forgot one other thing - watching him with the team ....   he looks like the kind of kid that is good for a team)

I sat by Rik for one of the games - just glad I was not sitting behind him.... haha

Go Valpo!

[chef]

I don't think Derrick will be a project. I think he'll have an impact from day 1 next season.

[oklahomamick]

Did anyone watch him play on the Canadian tour? 

[FWalum]

Really looking forward to seeing Derrik on the court next year.  If there was one thing I saw lacking in high school with Derrik it was intensity.  He has some very good offensive skills, lefty with decent range, good passer and able to catch the ball, he should be a much bigger offensive threat than Vashil.  The test will be on the defensive side of the court.  Hopefully he has learned somethings from the Defensive Player of the Year.

[vu72]

Love this tweet.  apparently he has used his year off to put on some weight and muscle!

My goal was always to go in to freshman year 7'0 235, didn't make it. Thanks to this year, I'll be going in 7'1 250 #Blessings