Nick Smith sticking with Illinois, dad says

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

Former Bloomingdale basketball standout Nick Smith, who for two months wavered about his future, will attend Illinois, the program he signed with last November.

Smith was out of town Friday, but his decision to attend Illinois was confirmed by his father.

"That's pretty much my understanding," Nick Smith Sr. said.

Smith, a 7-foot center, was Florida's Gatorade Player of the Year this season after averaging 25 points and 14 rebounds a game. He also earned Times All-Suncoast first-team honors.

Smith was recruited to Illinois by Lon Kruger, who left in May to coach the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

When Kruger left, Smith began to have second thoughts about attending Illinois.

Bill Self, who led Tulsa to the Elite Eight in March and replaced Kruger at Illinois, met with Smith last week in Valrico to persuade Smith to honor his commitment.

"I think getting to know Coach Self was a major decision as to whether he wanted to go to the Illini or not," Smith Sr. said. "He didn't know that much about (Self) because he hadn't been recruited by Tulsa."

Illinois, 22-10 last season, returns most of its top players. Smith was part of a recruiting class regarded as one of the country's best.

"I thought it was the right choice for him when he made it," Bloomingdale coach Jack Sutter said. "I don't know Coach Self as well as I know Coach Kruger, but everybody that called me said Nick will like playing for him. They say (Self) is demanding, but fair."

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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