Ikeon Deonta Smith (born July 5, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Górnik Wałbrzych of the Orlen Basket Liga. He played college basketball for Georgia Southern.
| No. 3 – Górnik Wałbrzych | |
|---|---|
| Position | Guard - Forward |
| League | PLK |
| Personal information | |
| Born | July 5, 1997 Gainesville, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Gainesville (Gainesville, Florida) |
| College |
|
| NBA draft | 2019: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2020–present |
| Career history | |
| 2020–2021 | Gießen 46ers |
| 2021–2023 | Tampereen Pyrintö |
| 2023–2024 | Nuova Pallacanestro Vigevano 1955 |
| 2024–present | Górnik Wałbrzych |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life
editSmith grew up in Gainesville, Florida and mainly played football growing up. He began to focus more on basketball after getting injured playing basketball in sixth grade. Smith attended Gainesville High School and competed for Florida Elite in Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) play.[1] He continued playing quarterback on the football team in addition to playing basketball.[2] As a senior, Smith averaged 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He leading Gainesville to the FHSAA 6-A State Championship Game, where they lost to Miami Norland Senior High School despite 21 points and 10 rebounds from Smith.[3] He was named to the First-Team All-State and was County Player of the Year.[2] In April 2015, Smith committed to Georgia Southern over offers from South Alabama, Jacksonville, Tennessee Tech, Western Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Ohio, and Arkansas State.[3] He chose the Eagles because his cousin, Willie Powells, attended the university and he told Smith stories about how much he enjoyed it.[1]
College career
editSmith averaged 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game as a freshman at Georgia Southern.[4] On December 1, 2016, Smith scored a career-high 29 points and had five rebounds in a 94-75 win against Savannah State.[5] As a sophomore, Smith led the Sun Belt in scoring with 19.6 points per game, and led Georgia Southern in rebounding with 5.2 rebounds per game.[6] He joined teammate Tookie Brown on the First Team All-Sun Belt.[7] Smith struggled with an ankle sprain as a junior.[8] He averaged 12.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.[9]
Smith played the first 10 games of his senior season, averaging 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He sustained a back injury, forcing him to miss the rest of the season, and he sought a medical hardship waiver for another season of eligibility.[10] The waiver was granted in June 2019.[11] As a redshirt senior, Smith averaged 14.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, scoring double figures in 24 games. He was named to the Third Team All-Sun Belt and Second Team All-District by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.[12] Smith received the 2020 All-American Athlete Award from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He finished his career second on the Georgia Southern Division I scoring list with 1,931 points and 10th at Georgia Southern in rebounds (668).[13]
Professional career
editOn September 17, 2020, Smith signed his first professional contract with the Gießen 46ers in Germany.[14] On October 23, 2021, Smith signed with the Texas Legends after a successful tryout.[15]
On July 30, 2024, he signed with Górnik Wałbrzych of the Polish Basketball League (PLK).[16]
References
edit- ^ a b Williams, Marqus (February 2, 2016). "Ike Smith makes his impact on the court". The George-Anne. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Arnold, Amanda (November 5, 2019). "Returning from injury, Ike Smith using experience to his advantage". The George-Anne. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Men's Basketball Signs Ike Smith in Spring Signing Period". Georgia Southern Eagles. April 15, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Zembal, Jacey (November 11, 2016). "Wait is over". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Runs Past Savannah State". Georgia Southern Eagles. December 1, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Jilk, Thomas (November 9, 2017). "Ike Smith in contention to be named nation's top mid-major player". The George-Anne. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "UTA's Hervey, Cross cap memorable season with individual honors" (Press release). Sun Belt Conference. March 6, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
- ^ Anthony, Mike (November 4, 2019). "Eagle Basketball tips off season against #24 Auburn". Statesboro Herald. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Mitchell, Greg (May 27, 2018). "Tookie Brown withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Georgia Southern". Mid-Major Madness. SB Nation. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "SPORTS BRIEFS: Georgia Southern's Ike Smith to seek a medical hardship waiver". Savannah Morning News. February 11, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Wallace, Jake (June 20, 2019). "Southern's Smith granted medical hardship waiver". WTOC. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Ike Smith Named NABC All-District". Georgia Southern Eagles. March 23, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ Baxley, McClain (April 13, 2020). "National honor for Georgia Southern basketball player Ike Smith". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Giessen 46ers sign Smith just out of college". Eurobasket. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ "Legends Draft Three, Announce Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
- ^ "Ike Smith nowym zawodnikiem!". gornikwalbrzych.com.pl (in Polish). July 30, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.