Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 5, 1982)
sports There’s always hope Former A&M basketball standout Smith shooting forNE by Frank L. Christlieb Sports Editor Two unsuccessful, short stints with professional basketball teams haven’t caused Vernon Smith to lose faith in his ability. And with his confidence cur rently at its highest level, the for mer Texas A&M basketball star has his eyes focused on cracking * * * * * * * * * * * * *- * ,* Jf * > + *- >F * * *■ * > 34- 34- 34- 3f 34- SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS MEETING Clayton Williams will speak on “The Future of Independent Oil Companies” the roster of a pro team next season. “I do have confidence in my self, so I believe that by this time next year, I’ll be on somebody’s team either getting ready for the playoffs or going home,” Smith said Sunday in a telephone in terview from his Dallas home. Smith, who completed his four years’ eligibility after the Aggies’ 15-12 season in 1980-81, finished his college career as the all-time Texas A&M leader in scoring and rebounding. Dur ing 119 games, the 6-8 forward had 1,778 points and 978 re bounds, while teammate Rynn Wright had the second-highest rebound total and the third- highest point total in the Univer sity’s history. During the NBA draft last cut sliced Smith from any chances of participating with what is now the second-best team in the NBA. After playing for a semi-pro team in Mexico during Novem ber, Smith returned to Dallas. And his sole goal? Preparation “I believed I had a real good chance up there in Philadelphia. I was the last player to get cut from the roster, but I didn’t get down. I wanted to play, but it wasn’t the end. I can al 4- June, the Philadelphia 76ers 7 p.m Monday, April 5 Room #100 Heldenfels picked Smith during the second round. In fact, Smith was the last player to be picked in the round and the 46th player chosen overall. After playing for the 76ers on the team’s summer league squad in Philadelphia, Smith played through the exhibition season with the team, and appeared to have an excellent chance of sur viving the final roster cuts. However, Philadelphia’s final ways try it again. — Former Texas A&M basketball star Vernon Smith. play ball r^r^r 3— I I IT ITT I I IT 111111 I 11 IT ITJ t—> 3-3 >—3 3—3 3-3 3-3 3-3 3— 3-< 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 for upcoming summer profes sional league play in California. But in February, Smith re ceived a call from the NBA’s De troit Pistons, who were ex periencing injury problems at the time. “They told me they wanted me to sign me for 10 days (a trial contract),” Smith said. “They’ve invited me to play in their camp this fall. I didn’t get a chance to play during the 10 days. I left Detroit and came home, and I knew that I would just wait for the summer league to start. “Now, I’m working out every day and getting ready for the summer league.” That summer league com petition, which annually in cludes NBA veterans George Gervin and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, begins in July. Smith had been under a three-year contract with the 76ers before being cut in Au- f ust. However, as a free agent, mith is now available to any team that wants to pick him up. Although he’s been invited to the Detroit and Philadelphia training camps next season, Smith says he only wants to play well enough to impress the pro scouts and representatives dur ing the summer session. “If a team decides that they’re interested in you, they can sign you,” Smith said. “I think that’d be the best place to play in the summer, because you play against a lot of great pro players.” Smith had been invited to in the Continental Basket- all Association earlier in the year, but opted instead to wait for the California league. As for his stays with the 76ers and the Pistons, Smith said he learned a great deal about the world of professional basketball. “I believed I had a real good chance up there in Philadel phia,” Smith said. ” I was the last player to get cut from the roster, but I didn’t get down. I wanted to play, but it wasn’t the end. I can always try it again.” But Smith, who talked to rep resentatives from the Atlanta Hawks and San Diego Clippers last summer, said he’s consi dered the possibility of not mak ing an NBA squad next season. He said if he isn’t able to play professional basketball in the United States, he may go over seas to Spain or Italy to play in a semi-pro league. And Smith said that although had not received his recreation and parks degree upon leaving Texas A&M, he hopes to com- E lete the two semesters of work e needs for that degree. Vernon Smith, Texas A&M’s all-time leading scorn rebounder, shoots during the final year of his col career. Smith, who was cut by the Philadelphia ;i before the current NBA season, says he thinbB 6 r. -n . chances of making a pro squad next year are j n Smith completed his career here after l^in).place finis! by Gaye Batlalio Bol) Brock s softball 3-3 “I’d really like to go to school next summer, because this sum mer I’ll be in California,” Smith said. “Playing in the summer league is something I probably would do every summer if I was on somebody’s club. I’ll prob ably end up going to Philadel phia’s camp. I think I might nave a better chance there this year.” Smith said his basketball ex periences during the past year have helped his play and have boosted his confidence. “I think I’ve improved litational, hoste game,” he said, “beawfcrton in Ful working on a lot of phase JiThough the / that I couldn’t do real * ieii opener Fri fore. Some of the tin. atlrnational U worked on being able to ney beat their i left more, and I think bents, includin that a lot better than I usMi State, to si “You get to learn aloi ouble-eliminatr tricks and knick-knacks lion get you by in pro ball. “I couldn’t hat don’t show you about thenian 1 was wher just pick them upanditbeive games in a r a routine thing. You ir &M coach said work for you.’’ Ke...and that s Smith credits his diber team.” career at Texas A&M font A Sunday m< tribution to his ability. alfState Fullert MSC OPAS proudly presents Fort Worth Symphony April 13/7:30 p.m. Rudder Auditorium/TAMU :ed, ended the t exas A&M, bu |jing home sal e wanted to ie| but it wasn’t pird,” he said gle bad lean t^ all great.” her a one-d las A&M lost OlFriday to US] :k said the Aj ken too lightly, pitcher, e hits, but the 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 Tickets available at MSC Box Office or Telephone MasterCard / VISA orders & pick up at the door 845-1234 ITIIIIIIITIIIIIITTTTTTIT (0 b £ < 2 N ON O Q. with only on tti Holthaus. “Any time you ’s bracket, it’s ,d “I think tl Kile tourname I first game.” he loss didn’t for long. L; Aggies put l J and a fou tcher Shan Mcl victory over the Ttfornia at Fre uns were scored ing by Shannon iarter and Ivajat pidenberg and collected an [The Aggies i re victories turday,” blankii Berkeley, US And Domino’s Pizza is here to help you make the grade. 1504 Holleman, C.S. 693-2335 4407 Texas, Bryan 260-9020 Drivers carry under $20 Limited delivery area £1982 Domino's Pizza. Inc We’re here to see you through these late nights and long hours spent cooped up in your room 'studying. We re open late every night and ready to deliver a hot pizza with your choice of delicious top pings and only 100°o real dairy cheese. Ail within 30 minutes after your call. ■Against No. 1 lexas A&M spre wer three innings It a one-hitter. 1 Ring, a double lendez scored I Melody Pritchan jgie lead. Holthaus came yd with a bases- ing Murray ^&M's third run. When you burn the mid night oil, remember you're not alone. Call Domino's Pizza. We’ll keep you fueled with fast, free delivery in 30 minutes or less.