2042/43 Senior Tribute
KAI SMITH
It's hard to figure out where to begin writing about
Kai Smith, one of the most beloved players Villanova has ever produced.
Code:
#2 PG Kai Smith - Villanova - Senior
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Height: 5-5
Weight: 172
High School: Lansdale Catholic High School
Hometown: Lansdale, PA
Attributes:
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Type INS JPS FTS 3PS HND PAS ORB DRB PSD PRD STL BLK QKN STR JMP STA
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Current: 31 73 95 70 100 100 14 27 14 90 94 11 94 34 31 90
2041: 26 72 95 69 100 99 12 22 13 87 91 10 93 33 28 82
2040: 23 66 93 63 93 97 11 19 12 85 89 9 91 32 28 75
2039: 21 61 86 58 83 87 10 17 11 75 79 8 90 31 28 70
2038: 19 55 78 52 73 77 8 15 9 65 69 6 88 29 27 60
Potential: D B A B A A F D F A A F
Health: Good
Scholarship: Yes
Status: Active Roster
Academics: 80
Stat Averages:
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Season G GS MIN PTS ORE REB AST TO A/T STL BLK PF
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2039 39 1 13.7 4.0 0.3 0.9 3.0 0.9 3.25 1.3 0.1 1.2
2040 39 36 22.4 7.1 0.3 1.5 6.6 1.2 5.38 2.2 0.0 2.2
2041 39 38 28.8 10.2 0.9 2.5 8.2 1.5 5.50 2.7 0.1 2.7
2042 38 38 30.6 11.0 0.6 2.3 8.7 1.6 5.43 2.8 0.1 2.4
Career 155 113 23.8 8.1 0.5 1.8 6.6 1.3 5.43 2.3 0.1 2.1
Shooting Averages:
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Season FGM FGA FG% FTM FTA FT% 3PM 3PA 3P% PPS +/-
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2039 1.3 3.2 .400 1.1 1.3 .843 0.4 1.4 .259 1.26 5.87
2040 2.5 4.9 .508 1.4 1.5 .933 0.6 2.3 .278 1.44 17.90
2041 3.4 6.5 .520 1.9 2.3 .843 1.5 3.5 .431 1.57 18.41
2042 3.7 7.3 .505 2.0 2.2 .906 1.6 4.3 .358 1.50 16.45
Career 2.7 5.5 .495 1.6 1.8 .881 1.0 2.9 .352 1.47 14.65
Stat Totals:
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Season G GS MIN PTS OREB REB AST TO STL BLK PF
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2039 39 1 534 157 11 36 117 36 51 2 46
2040 39 36 875 277 13 57 258 48 87 0 85
2041 39 38 1125 396 34 98 319 58 105 3 106
2042 38 38 1161 418 21 88 331 61 106 3 92
Career 155 113 3695 1248 79 279 1025 203 349 8 329
Shooting Totals
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Season FGM FGA FTM FTA 3PM 3PA +/-
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2039 50 125 43 51 14 54 229
2040 98 193 56 60 25 90 698
2041 131 252 75 89 59 137 718
2042 141 279 77 85 59 165 625
Career 420 849 251 285 157 446 2270
Career Highs:
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Type Pts OReb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO FGM FGA FTM FTA 3PM 3PA
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Season 23 2 6 16 7 1 8 8 14 8 8 5 10
Career 23 3 6 16 7 1 8 8 15 9 12 5 10
Awards & Achievements:
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Season Award
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All Player of the Game: 24
2038 High School: Rated ***** and #3 overall by the FBCB scouting service.
2038 High School: All-State (Pennsylvania)
2039 NCAA Champion
2039 Freshman All-Conference (Big East Conference)
2040 NCAA Champion
2040 1st Team All-Conference (Big East Conference)
2041 NCAA Champion
2041 2nd Team All-American
2041 1st Team All-Conference (Big East Conference)
2041 Conference Player of the Year (Big East Conference)
2042 1st Team All-American
2042 1st Team All-Conference (Big East Conference)
2042 Conference Player of the Year (Big East Conference)
Kai grew up in Lansdale, another of the Montgomery County players whom
Graham Sims has always recruited. Kai never seriously considered playing anywhere else; unlike
Dan O'Halloran, Kai rooted for Villanova growing up.
Several coaches privately confessed that, despite Kai's illustrious high school career and his status as the top point guard recruit in his class, they were convinced that his height would limit his effectiveness as a collegian. Kai proved them wrong, demonstrating that his court vision, quickness, and heart would enable him to control games at the highest levels of college hoops.
Kai loved playing for Villanova, and he loves being a student here. He quickly made it clear that he'd stick around for his senior year, a decision that endeared him to 'Nova Nation even more.
We've chronicled his statistical achievements already, but I think they bear mentioning one more time. Kai is the NCAA's all-time career leader in steals. He is one of only two players in history to record at least 1000 assists, while committing only 203 career turnovers. They don't make them like Kai very often.
Kai is especially popular with younger Villanova fans. Many of them delight in the fact that he's close to their size, and they appreciate his energy and enthusiasm. His #2 jersey is the best-selling Villanova shirt.
Kai loves children as much as they love him. He is completing a double major in Education and Africana Studies, and he plans to teach at the elementary school level. He isn't sure what he will do if he receives offers to play professional basketball.
As a youngster, Kai idolized
Justice Stafford, who graduated when Kai was eight years old. Like Kai, Justice decided to play for Villanova for four seasons, and Kai mentioned that as a factor in his own decision to use all his collegiate eligibility. Kai dreamed of being as good as Justice one day. Dreams sometimes come true.
Thanks for the memories, Kai.