Simon Elfrink
Staff Writer
selfrink@murraystate.edu
After playing only five games last year due to an ankle injury, senior Anthony Smith will make his return for a fifth year of college basketball.
The 6-foot-7-inches forward was unable to finish last season after he injured his ankle on Dec. 4, 2018. He had a solid start before the injury, averaging 7.6 ppg and leading the Racers in rebounds at that time. His rebounding performance was nationally ranked, thanks in part to a 10-board opening game.
Now, Smith has been cleared for play. The question of his health is not one he is concerned with; he is just eager to get back on the floor and play with the same intensity he always has.
“I’m pretty much the same Anthony,” Smith said. “The junkyard dog I’m soon to be, playing aggressively at all spots on the floor and just being more hungry. [I’m] taking every chance that I have on the floor to be better.”
Head Coach Matt McMahon was pleased to have one of his big men back, especially given his experience with the team.
“He’s been fantastic,” McMahon said. “He’s really the only player off our 2018 NCAA tournament team that played significant minutes. Having him back—his energy level, his consistency on a daily basis—I think really has set a tone for how hard our players need to work.”
Going into his fifth year with the Racers, Smith is more than ready to help lead the team to its third-straight OVC Championship.
“I’m not perfect,” Smith said. “I don’t make everything. I just try to lead by example and that’s just being a hustle player, being an enforcer on the floor, or being that person everyone goes to when they feel like they’re lacking an answer. That’s what I try to be.”
McMahon agreed that Smith’s health isn’t a concern right now. All things considered, McMahon is ready for his fifth-year senior to take the floor.
“His health is great,” McMahon said. “You wouldn’t have any idea he suffered any type of injury last season.”
Smith’s plan is to compete to the best of his ability, and although good health is never a guarantee, he put confidence in the lengths to which he and his doctors have gone to prevent further injury.
“Breaking my ankle wasn’t the first major injury I’ve had before,” Smith said. “I tore my ACL in high school my senior year, so I’ve had experience not to worry about my injuries after I recover. I was very confident when I stepped on the court that first game to know that any move I made was going to be good.”
Smith will look to continue to become an asset for the Racers going forward, as they will look for their second win of the season at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the CFSB Center against Brescia University.