THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 15, 1995 TAG: 9504150410
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
In the short term, Joe Smith envisions a return to normalcy. He will wake up Monday morning in College Park, Md., and go to class.
In the long run, his life forever changed Friday, as it did for his mother, Letha. She was asked how her life would be different.
``I can't look that far,'' she said. ``Just today.''
Today, ``Smith'' will be written at or near the top of NBA teams' lists of draftable players. In the coming weeks as Smith goes to class, NBA player personnel directors and general managers will go to school on him, scrutinizing film and doing research.
Smith said he will finish out the semester. He intends to earn his degree one day for his mother.
``I'm going to make her happy,'' Smith said. ``I'm going to go back and get my degree no matter what.''
Smith is also staying in school this semester just in case the NBA adopts a rookie salary cap, which could cause him to return to Maryland in the fall. Both Smith and Maryland assistant Art Perrydenied rumors that he has stopped attending class and that he might not be eligible next season.
Still, scribbling notes and taking exams when NBA millions loom won't be easy.
``It is going to be hard, but I think it's something he wants to do and his family wants him to do,'' Perry said.
How hard, Joe?
``It's not going to be hard at all because of knowing there's a chance I may come back,'' Smith said.
If he signs with an agent, he seals his decision to enter the NBA.
``As of right now, my mother and I are going to wait until after the draft,'' Smith said. ``My decision to leave is made, but I'm not going to worry about an agent right now.''
As he completes his academic work, Smith will also be working on his game. Between now and October when he graces an NBA training camp, Smith knows he has to get stronger, work on his perimeter game and develop his drive move. He's played with his back to the basket throughout high school and college. But in the NBA he'll be a forward, not a center.
But mostly he will hone, not dramatically change, his skills in the coming months. He has years to add to his game.
``I proved all season I can play the game,'' Smith said. ``I feel I'm physically ready for the NBA. I admit I do need to get a little stronger and there are aspects of my game I need to work on. But I feel I'm ready for it.''
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