Andre Smith

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Check out gobonnies.com.

[bulldogbrower]

I'll save you one step....

Bonnies add forward Andre Smith to cap six-player class

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Continuing its rebuilding efforts, St. Bonaventure’s men’s basketball program has added another member to its incoming class of 2005-06.
Andre Smith, a 6-foot-8, 220-lb. forward from St. Paul, Minn., has accepted an athletics grant-in-aid from St. Bonaventure University, head coach Anthony Solomon announced today. Smith is the sixth student-athlete to join the Bonnies’ program since November.
In addition, guard Kern Carter will not return to the team due to a chronic groin injury that was deemed career-ending. Carter, who will be a junior in the fall, will remain a student at St. Bonaventure.
Smith spent the last two years at North Dakota State College of Science. He will be a junior with two seasons of eligibility.
Last season at NDSCS, Smith averaged 13.6 points, a team-high 9.7 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. He helped the Wildcats to a 28-7 record and the consolation finals of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Tournament. NDSCS, which is coached by Craig Irwin, was ranked seventh in the year-end NJCAA Div. I poll.
In addition to Smith, the Wildcats also featured two other players who earned NCAA Division I scholarships – forward Jamil Lott (Marquette) and swingman Mark Kruse (Illinois State). Smith and Lott also were teammates at Como Park High School in St. Paul, Minn.
“Andre is a superb addition to our team,” Solomon said. “He has made great strides over the past two years. He improves our athleticism on the front line and also our scoring potential. (Assistant) Coach (John) Brannen deserves much credit … he kept in constant communication with Andre throughout this extended process.”<br> The addition gives the Bonnies eight new players for the 2005-06 season: Smith, 6-10 junior forwards Ivan Kovacevic and David Fox, freshman swingman Tyler Benson, freshman guard A.J. Hawkins and junior point guard Terron Diggs. The Bonnies will also welcome sophomore guard Tyler Relph and junior forward Paul Williams, who both sat out last season per NCAA transfer rules.
“We are extremely pleased with our recruiting class. We all knew that recruiting would be crucial to the turnaround of the program, and it has taken a sincere commitment from many people,” said Solomon, who is entering his third season at St. Bonaventure. “Our needs have been met from the standpoints of character, athleticism, size, speed and quality depth.”<br> The eight newcomers will join the Bonnies’ five returning players -- All-Conference senior guard Ahmad Smith, senior forward Patrick Lottin, senior guard Wade Dunston, sophomore forward Michael Lee and sophomore guard Isiah Carson.
“Basketball is the ultimate team game and while I am thankful for the commitment and trust from our newcomers, our returning players are just as important if not more so,” Solomon said. “They have experienced a great deal and now need to show their maturity on and off the court as we contin

[ceharv]

thx for the article brower, always looking to save a step - but now I'm confused - it's reported below that gibbs is gone to another school, but the gobonnies article is silent on him. But it states that carter is gone b/c of a career ending injury - yet he's apparently staying in school - does he still count as a 'ship? I presume his way is still paid, but does the injury give us some kind of exemption to him being counted? In other words, how many 'ships are now occupied assuming it's true that gibbs is gone? anyway - this shows a great work ethic on the part of this staff! Let's hope the hard work pays off on the court.

[wgt]

Welcome to the Enchanted Mts Andre. I must admit that I was very disappointed when Lex James decided on St Francis in his own backyard. However I am now ecstatic that Andre has become a Bonnie because he will be an even better addition. The stats of both men are very similar but Andre provides us more athleticism, speed and a nose for the ball with his steals. Hoopscoop rates Andre a 4 & James a 3. Andre played very effectively for Coach Irwin’s up-tempo style which had the Wildcats # 6 or better in the country the last 6 years in offense (averaged 102ppg in 2002). This was a super speed offense where Andre was # 2 in minutes played & their #1 rebounder on a team that boasted a +6 rebounding margin. As has been said, Coach Solomon & staff have upgraded every area of weakness. An absolutely remarkable commitment to tireless work with an ability to communicate and produce results. They saved the best for last. Competition in practices will be raised 1000% from where its been. Go Bonnies!