Jakorie Smith (198-F, college: Tarleton St.) is a 198cm forward from Mississippi playing his second professional season and first with Snaefell (Iceland-Division I). Last season he played his rookie season overseas with Golden Eagle Ylli (Kosova-Superliga) averaging 6.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 12.5%, FT: 81.3%, and then moved to the Newfoundland Rogues, starting five (BSL) averaging 16.7ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 84.6%. He began his basketball career at Raymond high school and then played 3 years at East Mississippi Community College (JUCO) averaging 15.2ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 73.6%, 13.3ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 27.5%, FT: 76.5%, and 17.7ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 84.6%. He then played 2 seasons at Tarleton State University (NCAA) averaging 9.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 35.3%, FT: 74.1% and 15.7ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 32.4%, FT: 84.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after his monumental 50 point game.

Thanks Jakorie for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on scoring 50 points overseas. That is a mile stone. What does an achievement like that mean to you?

No problem at all. Thanks, It means a lot to reach a milestone like 50 points, Not really for myself but to show young basketball players in my hometown of Utica, Ms and surrounding areas in Hinds County that they can also achieve something like this. For me it’s just being an inspiration to my community.

Was it a bit more difficult to enjoy at the end simply because you lost the game?

Yes, I mean anytime you step on the court you want to come out with the victory But my teammates made sure to let me know I could enjoy the milestone. Letting me know that a 50 point game is rare at any level.

Did you have a special feeling going into the game or feel different going into the game? Or was it just another normal day for you?

No not really any special feelings. I was just trying to help my team get the victory and before I knew 50 points was on the stat sheet. Shots were going in down the stretch. I felt like I couldn’t miss. I guess you could say that’s the special feeling!

You had some 30 plus point games this season. How do you explain 50 points? That is a big rise in scoring. What did you do differently besides take more shots and be aggressive?

I really can’t explain it, it honestly just happened. I did nothing differently. My teammates made plays and found me and I was able to knock the shots down.

How rapidly did you know that you may have a really good scoring night?

I didn’t know during the game. I remember telling one of my teammates “man I’m not feeling it tonight during the game”. I was kind of stiff but I guess you can say I ended up feeling it in the 2nd half.

How thankful are you for Juan Luis Navarro? He found you a lot on this night?

Very thankful. Juan is a very smart basketball player and me and him have a great chemistry. He makes the right read and the right plays and I’m just lucky I was the beneficiary of that during the game.

You played 39 minutes. Were you getting a bit tired at the end or were you playing in adrenaline?

Yes I mean I got a little winded but of course that’s what I train for. That’s what I practice for. I have to be able to finish the game. My body has to be able to play the whole game if needed.

Did you know in crunch-time that you were close to 50 or was it more a surprise when you got the stat sheet?

Not really. I was kind of in a zone and trying to win the game. Took a glance up at the board after the game and saw 50.

What was your favorite own basket of your 50 point performance?

All of them, it’s hard to just single out one basket when you have 50 points. All buckets were my favorite, even the free throws!

After netting 50, does the desire and hunger grow to do it again?

I mean no not really. I was just trying to do my best to help the team win. If I have to do it again to help the team it’ll definitely happen again.

Did you treat the team to dinner or have to get donuts?

No sir, but the guys know I appreciate them in every way! Expressed my gratitude to them over and over after the game ended!

How many congrats did you get? About how many messages did you get on your phone?

I got quite a few. It was a big night for my career and a lot of people congratulated me. Most importantly all of my family called and talked about it.

Thanks Jakorie for the chat.