What the Sixers do with their five second-round picks in the upcoming draft remains to be seen, but senior point guard Russ Smith out of Louisville hopes they consider using one of them on him.
"I feel like things are beyond my control," Smith said. "I am who I am. I will be very happy if I get taken high but I will also be happy If I get taken late. I will just be happy if I get in a situation where I can play. That will make me the happiest."
Smith averaged 18.2 points in his senior year with the Cardinals. He shot 46.8 percent from the floor and 38.7 percent from behind the arc.
Unfortunately his 5-foot-11 stature is a hindrance given that so many point guards in the league have size.
"Being myself has gotten me to where I am now," Smith said. "Watching old film has helped me. I take things from players and try to use it. I don't model my game after one specific guy."
Smith is old school. He likes looking at players who played his position 30 years ago and stealing tricks of their trade.
"Isaiah Thomas, I like that he dribbled low," Smith said. "And Kevin Johnson, I like his speed, his poise and his explosiveness. These are guys from the 80s. I like Terry Porter's defense. I used to watch him with Portland when he played with [Jerome] Kersey and Buck [Williams]. I watch a lot of old film and admire them."
NBA
Smith was 10 years old when Jerome Kersey, a 6-foot-7 small forward was last playing in the NBA. Buck Williams was also on his way out, but Smith saw two players in Kersey and Williams who had longevity. Despite Smith playing a different position he said he can take something from those players.
Smith may or may not hear his name on June 26 at the draft, but rest assured he will have an invite to battle for a pro job somewhere next fall. His competitiveness is too appealing.