GoldandBlack.com - Smits talks visit; Purdue Shootout recap

June 20, 2012

Brandan Alford
GoldandBlack.com Staff

Derrik Smits was on Purdue's campus Wednesday for the second time in under a week.

After taking an unofficial visit on Friday, Smits and his Zionsville team were at Purdue Wednesday for the Puccini's Purdue Shootout.

Zionsville won its first two games of the day before falling in the semifinals 63-47 to Jay County.

Smits finished with two points and five rebounds in the loss.

The class of 2015 big man was impressed with what he saw on his unofficial visit on Friday.

"It was a fun time," Smits said. "I had a chance to watch (the team) work out and we went around and looked at all the gyms and the locker rooms. There is a lot of new stuff here. I think it is pretty sweet. There have been a lot of upgrades that are accommodating to everyone, and I really like that.

"We looked at the dorms a little bit and I talked to the administration's director. It was a fun time. I like the coaches a lot; it has a good feel around here."

Smits listed Xavier, Indiana, and Butler as those schools who have shown early interest, along with Purdue. He has also taken an unofficial visit to Butler.

The entire recruiting process is one that is still new to the rising sophomore. However, Smits seems prepared to handle the attention as it comes his way.

"Off the court, it is going to be something I am going to have to handle," Smits said. "But on the court, I am not going to worry about that stuff. Hopefully, it will be a lot of fun for me.

"It is going to be chaos for a little bit getting used to it."

The Smits family is no stranger to the recruiting process, as Derrik's father, Rik, is a former NBA All-Star with the Indiana Pacers, having played collegiately at Marist.

The younger Smits noted that his father has suggested that he take his time and enjoy the process.

"Mostly, he told me just to visit as many schools as I can and to bring him along with me and see which school I fit best with in terms of the school and the program in general," Derrik said.

With the July evaluation period quickly approaching, Smits has a few parts of his game he is focused on improving.

"I have got to get after the ball more with rebounds and demand the ball more from my teammates offensively," Smits said. "I have great teammates who will get me the ball. I just have to work on being able to get to where they can get me the ball."

Homestead takes Shootout title
Homestead won Wednesday's Shootout title by defeating Jay County 46-44 in overtime.

After leading 22-14 at the half, Homestead nearly gave the game away in the second half.

Jay County scored the last six points in regulation on a pair of three pointers to force overtime.

In the sudden-death overtime, Homestead won it on a free throw after drawing a foul on its first possession.

Homestead posted a perfect 4-0 record on the day to win the title in the 16-team field.

Stephens headlines Thursday field
Purdue commit Kendall Stephens and his St. Charles East (Ill.) team highlight Thursday's 12-team Purdue Shootout field.

Also competing on Thursday will be Lake Central's Tyler Wideman (2014) as well as Greensburg's Sean Sellers (2014) and Bryant McIntosh (2014), among many others.

Each team in Thursday's field will play three pool-play games early in the day before playing a fourth game determined by their seed.

Thursday's Complete Schedule
9:00 Clarksville vs. Greensburg (Court 1)
9:00 Hamilton Southeastern vs. Crown Point (Court 2)
10:00 Pike vs. Lake Central (Court 3)
10:00 Richmond vs. North Posey (Court 4)
10:00 Delta vs. St. Charles East (Court 1)
10:00 Tippecanoe Valley vs. Michigan City (Court 2)
11:00 Hamilton Southeastern vs. Clarksville (Court 3)
11:00 Greensburg vs. Crown Point (Court 4)
Noon Pike vs. North Posey (Court 2)
Noon Richmond vs. Lake Central (Court 1)
Noon Delta vs. Michigan City (Court 4)
Noon Tippecanoe Valley vs. St. Charles East (Court 3)
1:00 Hamilton Southeastern vs. Greensburg (Court 2)
1:00 Clarksville vs. Crown Point (Court 1)
2:00 Pike vs. Richmond (Court 1)
2:00 Lake Central vs. North Posey (Court 4)
2:00 Delta vs. Tippecanoe Valley (Court 3)
2:00 Michigan City vs. St. Charles East (Court 2)
3:00 No. 11 vs. No. 12 (Court 2)
3:00 No. 10 vs. No. 9 (Court 1)
4:00 No. 7 vs. No. 8 (Court 4)
4:00 No. 5 vs. No. 6 (Court 3)
4:00 No. 3 vs. No. 4 (Court 2)
4:00 No. 1 vs. No. 2 (Court 1)

Court 1 = Mackey
Court 2 = Cardinal Court practice facility
Court 3 = Holloway South
Court 4 = Holloway North

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