Player Bio: Jerry Smith :: Men's Basketball

  Jerry Smith

Jerry Smith

Player Profile

Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Wauwatosa, Wis.
High School:
East
Height / Weight:
6-1 / 200
Position:
G
Experience:
2L

Sophomore Year:

  • Starter in the backcourt, scoring in double figures in 21 games as a sophomore.
  • Shot 50 percent or better from the field in 14 of the last 19 games -- and in 18 of the last 24 -- while hitting 49.3 percent during those 19 (70-of-142).
  • Scored 17 points against North Carolina in the NCAA East Region finals.
  • Averaged 13.5 points while hitting 19-of-35 shots from the field (11-of-22 threes) in his four NCAA Tournament games. He was an East Region All-Tournament team selection.
  • Totalled 12 points, four steals and two assists against Boise State in the NCAA Tournament first round, hitting 4-of-8 three-point attempts.
  • Produced his second career double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and four steals vs. Villanova.
  • Scored a career-high 25 points at Seton Hall, adding three assists and three steals without a turnover.
  • Buried at least two three-point goals in 14 of the last 19 games, connecting on a collective 41.8 percent (39-of-91) in those 19 games.
  • In league only statistics, Smith averaged 2.1 steals, third in the BIG EAST (1.7 in stats for all games, 8th in the league).
  • Scored 17 points at Kentucky.
  • Scored 17 points against Morehead State, hitting 5-of-6 three-point goals.
  • Scored 14 points at UNLV, adding five rebounds.

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.
  • 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 communications.
  • Personal goal at U of L is to win a national championship.
  • Enjoys bowling, swimming and driving go-karts in his spare time.
  • Chose to attend U of L because he felt he could thrive in Coach Pitino's system and the great fan base for U of L.
  • Best basketball advice given to him was to keep working.
  • Most proud of "our accomplishments at U of L, but not satisfied."
  • 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 his LeBron James poster.
  • He likes to take a nap before every game.
  • What impresses him the most about Coach Pitino is "his drive to get you better and how much he cares for his players to live well after basketball."
  • Would most like to meet Bill Gates.

Favorites:

  • Basketball Player: Gilbert Arenas
  • NBA Team: Boston Celtics & LA Lakers
  • Athlete, other than a basketball player: Michael Phelps (everybody loves a champ)
  • Movies: Rush Hour 1, 2 and 3, Money Talks
  • TV Shows: Fresh Prince
  • Actor: Chris Tucker
  • Comedian: Mike Epps
  • Subject: math
  • Musical Group/Singer: Lil Wayne, The Game, Jeezy
  • Foods: pizza, subway, chicken alfredo
  • Midnight Snack: cookies
  • Vacation spot: Miami or Las Vegas
  • Best Player Ever Faced: Dwayne Wade (when he was in college)
Big East Conference
NCAA
Big East Conference