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Jerry Smith
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Wauwatosa, Wis.
High School: East
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 200
Position: G
Experience: 1L
Freshman Year:
Averaged 8.0 points while leading the Cardinals in three-point field goals (55-115, .478, best percentage in the BIG EAST).
Over the last 26 games, he hit 44-of-86 three-point goals (.512). He hit 18-of-32 three-pointers in the last 11 games (.563).
Buried a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer -- one of three threes he hit in the last 3:03 -- at then No. 12 Marquette, just minutes from his hometown in Wauwatosa, Wis. (2/17/07).
Double-figure scorer in 12 games as a freshman.
Had 14 points and a season-high four steals vs. Providence.
Scored 22 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and handed out four assists against Miami, recording his first career double-double. Defensively, Smith also collected three steals and limited Miami's Jack McClinton, the ACC's top scorer at the time, to eight points.
Scored 24 points against Northwestern State in the Cardinals' season opener on Nov. 18, the most ever for a U of L freshman debut. He added three rebounds, two steals and four assists in the game.
High School:
Averaged 25.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senor for Coach George Haas in leading Wauwatosa (Wis.) East High School to a 20-2 record and the Greater Metro Conference title. He shot 54.5 percent from the field.
All-America selection by Parade Magazine (fourth team) and Street & Smith's in 2005-06.
Earned Wisconsin state player of the year honors and was a three-time all-state selection, the first ever in the state's history.
All-time leading scorer at Wauwatosa East with 1,673 career points.
Single-game scoring high was 46 points against West Allis Central his senior year. His 502 points as a senior was the third-highest ever at Wauwatosa East.
Averaged 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists as a junior in leading Wauwatosa East High School to a 20-3 record and the state sectionals.
Among the nation's top prospects, he was ranked No. 27 by The Hoop Scoop, 38th by Van Coleman, 47th by USA Today recruiting analyst Rob Harrington, 51st by Bob Gibbons' All-Star Sports, 68th by Scout.com and 83rd by RivalsHoops, who listed him as the state of Wisconsin's top recruit.
Averaged 17.8 points as a sophomore for Wauwatosa East, which posted a 20-2 record and won the Greater Metro Conference title. He was the first sophomore to ever earn first-team all-state honors in Wisconsin.
Had narrowed his collegiate choices to Wake Forest, Wisconsin, Connecticut and Tennessee before signing with the Cardinals.
Personal:
Born Sept. 26, 1987 ... Son of Jerry and Kim Smith ... Has one older sister (LaRita) ... Major is undecided.
Personal goal at U of L is to win a national championship.
Enjoys bowling in his spare time.
Chose to attend U of L because of Coach Pitino and the great fan base for U of L.
Best basketball advice given to him was to keep working.
Most proud of getting a chance to play college ball and go to school while doing it.
His father has had the greatest influence on his athletic career.
Feels Will Smith would be the best actor to play him in a movie.
When he played basketball as a kid, he pretended he was Michael Jordan.
Wanted to wear No. 34 because his father wore it and he has worn it since high school.
If you walked into his dorm room, the first thing you would notice is posters of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, and his hat collection.
What impresses him the most about Coach Pitino is his determination to win.
Would most like to meet Bill Gates.
Favorites:
Basketball Player: Dwayne Wade
NBA Team: Miami Heat
Movies: Rush Hour 1, 2 and 3
TV Shows: Fresh Prince, Martin
Books: Mad Game: The NBA Education of Kobe Bryant
Actor: Chris Tucker
Comedian: Mike Epps
Subject: math
Musical Group/Singer: T.I., young Dro, Jeezy, Jay-Z
Foods: tacos, pizza
Midnight Snack: toaster struedel
Vacation spot: Miami
Best Player Ever Faced: Dwayne Wade (when he was in college)
