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Grant Flanders
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RELEASE: Weber Announces the Addition of Transfer Mark Smith
Head coach Bruce Weber and associate head coach Chris Lowery comment on the Mark Smith addition
Head Coach Bruce Weber:
On the signing of Mark Smith…
“We’re really excited about the addition of Mark. Obviously, we know him well having recruited him out of high school then again after he decided to leave Illinois. I guess you could say the third time’s the charm. It was important to me to reach out to (Missouri head coach) Cuonzo (Martin) after Mark decided to transfer and get his perspective and he was very positive about him. Once I had that conversation, we reached out to Mark and his family, and after some time, we all came to the realization that it was a good fit.”
On what he and the staff were looking for when adding a player like Mark Smith…
“It was important for us as a staff (when adding players) to get more experience especially with all the freshmen we played this year. Mark is someone who has great experience and has played at a high level in both the Big Ten and SEC, and just started in an NCAA Tournament game. He knows how to difficult it is to play in a league like the Big 12 and how to prepare. We also needed more shooting and Mark, obviously, fits that bill. He is a really, talented shooter and, at one point, was one of the best 3-point shooters in the country. He knows how to make plays and set up his teammates to make plays.”
On how Mark Smith’s game has evolved…
“Mark just has a really good feel for the game. You don’t play college basketball at this level and not have a good feel for how to play. It’s something besides his shooting, he wants to have the ball in his hands to not only make plays for himself but for others. He gives us another versatile athlete that can play anywhere.”
Associate Head Coach Chris Lowery (primary recruiter):
On the signing of Mark Smith…
“First off, Mark has great experience. He has started several high-level games in two different leagues. He has played in packed arenas, in hostile environments. He has been through scouting reports with some of the top teams in both leagues, and now he can bring that experience to our young crew. The biggest thing about Mark is that he’s made tough shots in tough situations. He’s been a starter on an NCAA Tournament team. He’ll just bring a level of steadiness and ease. He also has a high IQ and has a great understanding of how to play. He’s also a graduate, so he has the maturity to handle the academic side.”
On how he fits on the team…
“The one thing that we want to do is shoot the ball better and Mark is a good shooter. He’s had seasons of 40 (percent) or better from the field. He also has a track record of shooting at a high clip from 3-point range and is a good passer. You can initiate stuff with him. He’s an older guy who will fit in our guard group because he has can dribble, pass and shoot at a high level.”
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