Ike Smith (193-G-1997, college: Georgia South) is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Gainesville, Florida that completed his fifth professional season and first with Gornik Zamek Ksiaz Walbrzych (Poland-OBL) averaging 12,8ppg, 4,4rpg, 3,2apg and. Last season he played with Elachem Vigevano 1955 (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 15.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 58.1%. He played with Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga) from 2021-2023 avergaing 21.5ppg), 7.2rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 22.4%, FT: 73.8% and in his second season avergaed 19.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 70.6%. He began his basketball career at / Gainesville High School. And then played at Georgia Southern University (NCAA) from 2015-2020 playing a total of 133 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Ike for talking to germanhoops.com. You keep moving up leagues after paying your dues in Finland. How has the grind been for you? What has kept your energy going to keep moving up the basketball ladder?

The grind has been great. I enjoy coming to work everyday and getting better. The goal for me is to play at the highest level in Europe so that’s my motivation on moving up the ladder

You played your fifth pro season and first with Gornik Zamek Ksiaz Walbrzych (Poland-OBL). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about the experience?

Playing in the OBL has been a learning experience but fun. I struggled earlier on due to some injuries but now I feel like I’m in great rhythm

The club was holding it´s own fighting for the #1 position. What has been the secret to the success?

The secret to success for us has been our work ethic everyday. We get after one another everyday in practice. It’s very competitive

You recently won your first chip with the Polish Cup. What was the finest memory of that run?

The best memory would have to be Toddrick´s game winning shot! Those are the moments you dream about

The team has a lethal trio of Alterique Gilbert, Todderick Gotcher and yourself. What have you appreciated most about their games?

I appreciate the most their intensity. They always get us off to a good start to games with their energy

Last season you played in the Italian Serie 2. This season your playing in another top league in Poland. How would you compare the 2 leagues. Many have said that the Italian league is one of the best 2 leagues in Europe. Which would you say is best in competitiveness and skill level of the players?

I agree that the Italian league is one of the best 2nd leagues in Europe. Both leagues are very physical. I would have to say that the competitiveness and skill level was higher in Italy

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

That’s tough, but I’ve gotten some Demar Derozan comparisons. He uses a lot of different footwork techniques to score at a high level & I do the same.

You’re a player that fill the stat sheet very well. How big is your versatility in your game?

I think my versatility is the best thing about my game. I have the ability to score in many different ways. I could also defend multiple positions

You shot 39% in the NCAA and 35% in Italy. What do you have to still do to reach the 40% plateau?

I believe work ethic & confidence will help me to reach the 40% plateau

How would you describe your defensive game now in your fifth season? To what stage do you still want to reach to make the next level as a defender?

I think I underestimate how great I could be on the defensive end. I have the size, length & strength to be a great defender. I want to be one of the best defenders in every league that I play in

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

Free throws are the weakest part of my game. I leave so many points out there not converting my free throws.

Last season you played with Elachem Vigevano 1955 (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 15.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 58.1%. It wasn´t a great season, but you were consistent with your play. What did you learn from this season and how did your game grow?

Playing in Vigevano I was one of the primary ball handlers. I learned a lot from playing pick & roll seeing so many different coverages

You played 2 seasons with at Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga)n averaging 21.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.8apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.1%, 3PT: 22.4%, FT: 73.8% and in your second season averaged 19.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 29.5%, FT: 70.6%. How vital were these 2 seasons in your basketball development overseas? How did your game grow?

The 2 seasons in Tampere were important for me. It was an introduction to the European style of basketball

How key was guard David Gonzalvez in your rookie season? Was he like a mentor for you?

David was great. He always filled me with confidence. Everyday we were in the gym playing 1 on 1 just sharpening our game. We also worked on a lot of moves in the post

In your second season you lost a tough playoff series to Kauhajoki? In games 1 and 2 the team allowed 120 points per game. You scored 31 points in game 2. What memories do you have of this series?

Kauhajoki forced us to play a fast paced style of game which fits how I like to play so I just wanted to be very aggressive. I always enjoyed Karhu fans. It gave me an extra boost as well

You were in Germany with the Depant Giessen 46ers Rackelos Second Team (Germany-ProB). You left in December 2020. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

What I learned from Germany was how important it was to take care of my body. Nutrition, Sleep, & recovery is very important and at the time I didn’t understand that.

You played at Georgia Southern University (NCAA) from 2015-2020 and played 133 games. What memories do you have of these 5 years? How tough was not playing March madness in 2020 because of Covid?

Georgia Southern was the most fun times I could say I had in my basketball career. We had such a family vibe and so much talent on the team. It was tough not being able to play march madness. You grow up watching this tournament all your life and hope to play in it one day. It was unfortunate that it was taken away from us

Early in your freshman year you lost to Duke and played against future NBA guys like Grayson Allen and Brandon Ingram. What memories do you have of that game? Were you able soak up valuable things from a loss like that?

Playing at Duke for me was an eye opener. It just showed me that I wasn’t where I wanted to be and that I needed to improve my game in so many ways

You played 4 years with Tookie Brown? Did you guys become like brothers in that time?

Tookie will always be a lifetime brother. I’ve learned so much from him on the court but just off the court he’s a great human being

How did head coach Mark Byington groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Byington was great. He pushed us everyday to be better on & off the court.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Tookie Brown?

Tookie and I didn’t have many 1 on 2 battles. It would be more team battles. Some days be got the best of my team and some days I got this beat of his team

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Brandon Ingram

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tookie brown Montae Glenn Isaiah Crawley Toddrick Gotcher Alterique Gilbert

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

LeBron, Jordan, Kobe, Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Who is your Goat and why?

My goat is LeBron James. His accolades and longevity speaks for itself

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I saw the sequel to coming to America. I enjoyed the movie but it was nothing compared to the 1st.

Thanks Ike for the chat.