Before Russ Smith was a Louisville legend and before “RUSSDICULOUS” he was up in Connecticut’s Northwest hills at the South Kent Prep School grappling with his studies, and trying to get noticed by big time college programs. He chose to go there for a year to get stronger, work on his academics and learn the point guard position.
Tonight Russ returned to his old stomping ground to give back to some of the folks and the school that helped him reach his dreams. He was the keynote speaker for the Roundball Scholarship kickoff dinner.
South Kent School’s Roundball Scholarship hosted a kickoff dinner on Friday evening. The scholarship benefits student-athletes who dream of playing basketball on the prep school level, in the NCAA and beyond. In the last 10 years, South Kent has sent 6 alumni and 8 former students to the NBA, over 60 alumni to NCAA Division I universities and numerous alumni to professional leagues overseas for basketball.- Press release
The notable South Kent alumnus Russ Smith ‘10, who was recently drafted to the NBA team the New Orleans Pelicans, was keynote speaker and also made himself available for photos and autographs. Before Smith was part of the 2013 University of Louisville Cardinals team, who won the Division I NCAA Championship, before he was named to the 2013 All Big East First Team and a Preseason All-American he helped South Kent to a 20-12 record, averaging 19.7 points, 3.9 assists.
Russ has always been a guy that has had a clear vision about where he was going, but it’s great to also see that he is a guy that never forgot where he came from. I sure will miss seeing Russ in a Cardinal uniform this season but am glad that he is out there being a great ambassador and still making us all very proud. L1C4