By Joseph Staszewski
Former Archbishop Molloy guard Russ Smith will return to the University of Louisville for his senior basketball season, he announced at the school last week.
It ended weeks of speculation of whether he would enter the NBA after leading the Cardinals to the national championship this season. His father, Russ Sr., said in early April that is son was going to turn pro. His son said he had been indecisive after the nation title game, changing his mind on a daily basis.
The 6-foot-1 Smith ultimately decided against going pro after consulting with Cardinals Coach Rick Pitino, who discussed his standing in the draft with NBA executives. He was slotted to be a second-round pick. Smith talked about missing his teammates too much and needing to mature as a player and person before starting the next stage of his life.
“The pros of staying were so much better then the pros of leaving,” he said. “What was crazy was all my pros that I put down for me leaving were very immature.”
Pitino said league executives want to see a different Russ Smith from the one who became one of the premier guards in the nation. He averaged 18.7 points per game this season, including 22.3 in six NCAA tournament games. Smith will need to add muscle, improve his shot selection and get a better assist to turnover ration if he is to be a point guard and a first round pick in the NBA.
“I personally think he will be,” Pitino said. “He’s just got to alter his game. Fifty percent of the altering is my choice. I asked him to score.”
There is also an added incentive to Smith staying in school. He would become the first person in his family to graduate from college. He wants to be a first-team All-American and help the Cardinals defend their national championship.
“I love to win,” Smith said. “With the group we have coming back I want to go out as a winner as well as get my degree.”
