Recruiting Report: Colin Smalls (2020)

<p><strong>Colin Smalls</strong> was a tone-setter for St. Andrew's during their <a href="https://prephoops.com/2019/02/five-takeaways-maret-vs-st-andrews/">win over Maret</a> in the MAC Playoffs yesterday. The class of 2020 lead guard prospect, who is steadily improving, discussed that win and provided us with an update on his recruitment. </p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> How would you evaluate the team performance today?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "I thought we came out with crazy energy. Played extremely hard. We made a lot of mistakes, but were able to make up for it with 50/50 balls and getting rebounds." </p> <p><strong>PH:</strong><em> How well do you think you did at executing your assignment?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "I feel like I did a decent job. I just came out, played hard, did what I needed to do to help my team get a win."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> What specifically do you think you did well?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "I thought I pressured the ball well. We've been preaching that throughout the week. Pressure the ball, speed the ball up, and have help side on #15 (EJ)."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> How were you able to exploit your matchup?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "I couldn't have done it without my teammates. I was tired in the huddle, but they told me to keep going so it was really them that got me through the game."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> How were you able to hit all those shots at the end of the game despite being tired?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "Just focus. It's what I practice. I practice making shots when I'm tired. That's what we do in practice. We make free throws when we're tired and after we do sprints."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>: <em>Have you always been this good at attacking the basket and beating the first man so easily?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "Its been in my game, but I've really focused on it as the season progressed. Working with my coaches, working with my teammates, extra work after practice, just getting in the gym and putting reps in to make that better."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> At what point in your high school career did you feel truly confident in your ability to get by the first defender?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "Probably midway through this season. I've really put in time with my coaches. My assistant coaches and head coach."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> You also did really well creating space with your body. Would you say that your strength is underrated?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "Yes, most definitely."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> What's new with your recruitment?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "I've pretty much been hearing from the same coaches. Between 10 and 15 schools. Nothing really new."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>: <em>Who's standing out the most right now?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "UMass Lowell, Lehigh, Yale, Princeton, and Harvard."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> Have you visited any of the schools that you mentioned?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "No, I have not."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> What do they tell you they like about your game?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "They like how I'm able to get a team in the offense. Distribute the ball, score the ball, and pressure the ball. They like my competitiveness."</p> <p><strong>PH</strong>:<em> What do you think you guys will need to do in order to be successful for the rest of the tournament?</em></p> <p><strong>CS</strong>: "We're going to have to just lock in, play hard, come out with crazy energy, jump on teams early, and execute down the stretch."</p>