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Fab four in Flames’ backcourt
(as published in Whoosh! magazine Nov. 7, 2005)
Through the years, UIC teams have been known for their great individual guard play. Names like Cedrick Banks, Mark Miller, Kenny Williams, Martell Bailey, Craig Lathen, Tracy Dildy, Tony Freeman, Anthony Coomes, Jordan Kardos, Jonathan Schneiderman, and Mike Simmons all had solid-to-great careers for the Flames.
However, this year’s Flames squad may have a foursome that could be the best group of guards in program’s history.
In fact, UIC coach Jimmy Collins likes the abilities of his guards so much that will modify the offense a bit by spreading the floor and opening the lane for drivers.
White (pictured) started living up to his hype toward the end of last season, penetrating to the basket and showing his dazzling speed and quick hands. He occasionally likes to go for the glamorous play, which makes Collins say that White must pick his spots.
“He can beat just about anyone to the basket,” Collins said. “He’s a great athlete with his quickness, but Karl needs to know when to hold them and when to fold them.”
“I need to improve a little with my decision making,” White said. “I also have to slow down a bit. Take things a little slower.”
After averaging 5.5 points per game on 39 percent shooting as a freshman, White should replace Banks at shooting guard and will look like Banks did early in his career, beating his defender off the dribble, taking the ball to the hole and shooting intermediate jumpers.
“I learned a lot from Cedrick,” White said. “but I won’t have to be the only scorer, we have a lot more [offensive] weapons.”
The starter at the point will be junior D.J. Smedley, a transfer from Saddleback (Calif.) Junior College. He was born and raised in Philadelphia before playing his high school ball in San Francisco.
“D.J. is going to be a tremendous leader,” Collins said. “He brings that ‘East-coast mentality’; he’s got a lot of finesse in his game. He’s very vocal and emotional, and he hates losing, even in practice.”
“I’m a hard-nosed player,” said Smedley, who received an offer from Seton Hall before electing to go to junior college. “I won’t back down from anyone and I’m not afraid to take chances.”
Smedley will be a solid defender and likes to score in transition, especially with the pull-up jumper.
Smedley will start in the place of senior Rocky Collum at the beginning of the season, because Collum re-injured his left knee in individual workouts in September.
Last season, Collum did not see action until late December after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee in practice. When he returned, his play was up-and-down, but he did show a solid three-point shot.
The team hopes Collum is ready to go after the season-opening road trip to Alaska. His recovery has also been slowed down by a case of “Pink Eye.”
Collum will see extensive action once he’s healthy. He averaged 8.7 points and 3.2 assists per contest and shot 37 percent from three-point range.
Rounding out the foursome is freshman Josh Mayo from Merrillville, Ind.
“Josh is the best shooter we have,” Collins said. “He will, in time, compete for a starting spot. He’s like Jonathan Schneiderman with athleticism. Josh needs to learn at this level that he needs to be intense on every play, but he has very good point guard skills.”
Mayo (pictured) says he takes up to 300 shots per day to stay sharp.
“We’re working really hard,” said Mayo with a quiet confidence. “We have a really good chemistry.”
In addition, sophomores Kevin Bond and Robert Bush will figure into the rotation at the wing spots and some in the backcourt.
White likes the versatility the group brings to the court.
“This is probably our best defensive backcourt,” White said. “Me and D.J. are great penetrators and Josh and Rocky are good shooters.”
Despite the talented group of guards, UIC was picked sixth in the Horizon League preseason poll.
“That’s OK,” Mayo said. “A lot of underdogs come out on top. We need to have the attitude of ‘we’ll show ’em.’ ”
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It all starts with dynamic sophomore Karl White, who many christened as a “Cedrick Banks clone” before he even donned a UIC uniform.
Smedley (pictured) was ranked in the top 10 junior college point guards in the nation by Lindy’s magazine. He averaged 7.6 points and a conference-best 4.6 assists per game as a sophomore at Saddleback.
As a high school senior, he averaged 13.7 points and 4.0 assists per contest and shot 42 percent from three-point range and 83 percent from the free-throw line.