North Central’s basketball team is losing a big piece to their puzzle and it’s not to graduation. D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera told media today in Fort Wayne at the Spiece Run ‘N Slam Classic that he will attend Oak Hill Academy for his senior season.
The news is an usual huge surprise and disappointment. Reading through my twitter feed today, I was flat out shocked to read the news.
He is foregoing a lot by making this move. Along with Purdue freshman Terone Johnson, Smith-Rivera helped guide North Central to the 2010 Class 4A State Championship game, beating Warsaw.
Smith-Rivera is a fantastic player who I believed had the best IHSAA tournament amongst all those in the talent-heavy basketball state. According to recruiting services Rivals.com and ESPN.com, DSR is ranked 25th and 28th respectively in the country for his 2012 class.
He is also has a strong chance being named 2012 Indiana Mr. Basketball. He is on this years junior all-star team.
DSR originally committed to Xavier University on October 23, 2010 during their “Musketeer Madness.” He later decided to re-open his recruitment on December 27th and has now landed strong interest from Louisville, Texas, Georgetown and Florida.
The move doesn’t make sense for a number of reasons. I hate to criticize a high school student where the factors into the decision are currently unknown.
But first, North Central would be the heavy favorites to win the state title if he stayed. They still have a solid team but it won’t be easy. There are other very talented players on the team that make him better like point guard Ronnie Johnson who gets him the ball and center Darius Latham.
Next, NC is playing in the largest class of basketball and gathers attention all around the state. If he’s looking for spotlight and coverage, it’s not getting any better. Finally, in Indiana, he was playing with and against some of the country’s best such as Gary Harris, Jeremy Hollowell, Ron Patterson and Yogi Ferrell. Interestingly enough, all but Harris are committed to IU.
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera remains uncommitted at this point and some college is going to get a very special talent. Moving to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia is a questionable move and one that basketball fans in Indiana hate to see.
[…] commit). He had also played with highly-touted senior D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, but the guard transferred to Oak Hill Academy for his final […]