College Commitment: Luke Smith (2021 Willamette)

As the holiday season neared, Luke Smith Luke Smith 6'3" | CG Willamette | 2021 State OR felt that he needed to come to a decision about his college future. The tough 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard from Willamette had gone out in the fall to play some club tournaments and had had some solid offers on the table. But when it all came down it, home provided him the best opportunity and he decided to pen to paper and sign to play college hoops at Bushnell.

"I felt like it was the best fit for me because of the basketball, schooling, and that it was close to family," Smith said. "I’ve known coach Eddie (Alexander) for a long time and we’ve built a really great relationship. I’ve known the other coaches for a while too, and they’re great coaches and I’ve gotten close with them as well."

An additional aspect of the decision was the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his father, Burdy Smith, who starred at what was then known as Northwest Christian in the early 1990s.

"My dad was very excited about my decision to attend Bushnell," Smith said. "ith my dad being a former player at Bushnell/NCU, it did play a role in my decision to follow his legacy and hopefully break some of his records."

Smith is definitely looking forward to his future on the hardwood with the Beacons. But before that happens, there is his senior season that is scheduled to get going at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

"My hope is that we will get to play in May," Smith said. "My goal for this last year of high school basketball is to win “league” whatever that will be this year, and if there is state playoffs, to win state. For college, I need to work on my lateral quickness and my athleticism in general. I also feel like my on-ball defense will need to improve."

Smith currently ranks as the #9 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2021 rankings.