SPORTS

Basketball Walk-on Says Excitement Won't Wear Off

Reporting By: Lindsey Ramon

Videography By: Denise Thornton

The men’s basketball team found its final player, Wquinton Smith, at tryouts this November.

Smith heard about tryouts through an email sent to the entire campus and followed his dream of being a college athlete. Forty students tried out, but Smith stood out from the start.

 “The first thing in the first drill that stood out is right away there was a loose ball and he dove after the loose ball which is very rare,” Coach Greg Gard said. “You see a guy just coming in off the street and just getting warmed up and then he dives on the floor.”

Smith was called back to Coach Bo Ryan’s office a few days later where he was asked to join the team.

“When I left Coach Ryan’s office I think I went outside to my dorm and started screaming and jumping and stuff, and I was really excited,” Smith said.

His excitement is wearing off on the starters, too.

“He’s always got a smile on his face,” teammate Joe Krabbenhoft said. “He makes you appreciate how lucky we are because he came in, he came to school here just thinking maybe he’ll be a fan of this program and now he’s as valuable to the team as I am and we’re just happy to have him.”

Smith used to see the basketball players as celebrities, but now people are starting to recognize him around campus. He hopes to use this to impact students who’s dreams might be just as big as his were.

“I didn’t know I was a celebrity, but I’m trying to be a good role model to everybody like portray the right image and show how hard work pays off in the long run,” Smith said.