Sophomore forward known for 3-pointers expands game
Published on Tue., December 2nd, 2008
The day sophomore forward Nicollette Smith became a three-point shooter is still stuck in her head, although some of the details have faded over time.
With her team trailing in the second half of an Amateur Athletic Union basketball game in sixth grade — she doesn’t remember the date or opponent — Smith took aim from beyond the arc.
Sophomore forward Nicollette Smith tries to drive past defenders during Sunday afternoon's game against New Orleans. Smith wore a protective mask because she suffered a deviated septum during Kansas' first game of the season.
Photo by Jon Goering
“I just started shooting it from that day on,” Smith said. “I fell in love with the three-point line.”
Smith’s affection for three-pointers became apparent last year as a freshman. Smith, who at 6-foot-2 offers a unique combination of size and shooting ability, launched 132 three-pointers during her first season. She made 34 percent of those attempts.
During the offseason, though, coach Bonnie Henrickson asked Smith to add a new element to her game: the ability to attack the basket with the dribble.
The concept is simple. If Smith can make opponents chase her around the three-point line, then she’ll be able to dribble past out-of-position and over-aggressive defenders.
“In our league, she’s not going to get uncontested threes in set plays,” Henrickson said. “We could run 20 offenses just for her to get a three but most defenses are going to be able to take that stuff away from her.”
If Kansas’ 64-42 win against New Orleans on Sunday proved anything, it’s that Smith can do both. Starting her second game in place of injured sophomore center Krysten Boogaard, Smith scored 13 points and collected 10 rebounds.
But more impressive is the manner in which she did so. Smith hit three three-pointers, drove into the lane on several occasions and, perhaps most importantly, grabbed four offensive rebounds.
In the days following the Jayhawks’ 75-56 win against St. Louis on Nov. 23, Henrickson said Smith’s and junior forward Porscha Weddington’s rebounding needed significant improvement.
Both delivered on Sunday, combining for 17 rebounds.
“When I got subbed out the first time it was because of rebounding,” Smith said. “I went to go sub back in and she said ‘Nic, we really need you on the boards.’”
Making Smith’s performance Sunday even more impressive is the fact that she didn’t participate in drills until the final 30 minutes of Saturday’s practice. In Kansas’ first game of the season, Smith suffered a deviated septum, requiring her to wear a protective mask.
On Monday, Smith had corrective surgery, but bleeding on Tuesday and Wednesday kept her out of practice.
“Everybody told me that I shouldn’t practice more often,” Smith said. “Maybe she’ll let me off more.”
With 13 minutes, 8 seconds left in the first half, Smith pulled up for a 25-foot three-pointer from the tip of the Jayhawk’s beak. Not that any of the Jayhawks were shocked.
“She’ll shoot it from dang near halfcourt,” junior guard Sade Morris said. “If someone is in her face, she’ll still knock it down.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she shot it from past halfcourt.”
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