Zionsville (Ind.) has a budding basketball star in Derrik Smits, a 6-foot-9 freshman and the son of former NBA standout Rik Smits, a popular 7-4 center for the Indiana Pacers from 1988-2000. Fans may recall him by his nickname, the "Dunkin' Dutchman."
Derrik, who is projected to be at least 7-feet, spent his freshman year with the Zionsville JV and also dressed for some varsity games. He father was a part-time coach.
He told the Indianapolis Star, "I work with (my dad) a lot. He's helped a lot with my outside shot and we're working on more down low and post moves now. I need to rebound better and have a better knack of going after the boards."
He plans to visit Butler and Xavier this summer.
*A telephone survey of 500 Hoosiers - encompassing all the districts throughout the state - revealed that 49 percent want Indiana to return to a one-class basketball tournament, the Indianapolis Star reported. Thirty-two percent were happy with the four-class system now being used.
Eight town hall meetings are being held around the state on this subject and last week at Plymouth a very compelling letter was read from Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles, who is greatly in favor of the one-class system. Fifty-four percent agreed that the multiclass system shields children from a valuable life lesson in adversity.
*A perennial basketball power,
Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield, Maine), has dropped its post-graduate basketball team, according to MaineToday.com. A total of 135 MCI graduates have played Division I college basketball and 10 - including Sam Cassell, Cutino Mobley, Brad Miller, Caron Butler and DerMarr Johnson - reached the NBA.
Jennifer Beane, director of alumni and communications, explained, "Finances was really a secondary role in this decision. The program no longer enhances the mission of the school."
*The University of Alabama has received a commitment from Jimmie Taylor, a 6-9, 220-pounder who averaged 9.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.4 blocks as a junior. As a sophomore he helped his team win the Class 3A state title.