La Salle’s Smith going to Fairfield
As a mad bomber with height, Steve Smith owned three Division I basketball offers by the time he was finished his sophomore year at La Salle High.
Now, with the we-want-you total up to roughly a dozen, and with his senior year less than a month away, the 6-8, 190-pound Smith has committed to Fairfield.
"I wouldn't say I had any kind of narrowed-down list," Smith said Tuesday night. "All of the schools that offered me were great fits. I just saw Fairfield as the lift, a home away from home.
"I was up there last Thursday with Amar Stukes [La Salle teammate; senior guard] and we got a complete look at the place. We sat in on classes, met faculty members, scrimmaged with the players, hung out with them in their dorms . . . It was all so helpful."
Smith said his sophomore year offers came from James Madison, Monmouth and Albany. Among the more recent pursuers in addition to Fairfield were Stetson, New Hampshire, Binghamton, Quinnipiac, Colgate, Florida Atlantic . . .
Smith's sister, Steph, starred at Mount St. Joseph, in Flourtown, and last season was a key freshman sub at Loyola (Md.).
"It helped to have a sister who went through the process," Steve said. "Actually, considering my sister's there, I was kind of surprised Loyola didn't recruit me."
Smith's parents, Steve and Susan, were also prominent in the mix.
"My dad did a spreadsheet that matched up all the schools in different categories," Smith said. "There were something like eight, things like level of interest, distance, academics, reputation, RPI, conference . . . couple others. Fairfield has been coming after me strong since April. Texting me ever since."
Smith lives in Lower Gwynedd. A decision on a major has yet to be made, though he's considering the doctor or lawyer route.
On the court? He'll fire from distance early and often.
"In games with my Jersey Shore \[AAU\] team this summer, I've been hitting seven-eight treys," Smith said. "That drew attention from coaches."
