University of Tennessee Athletics
Catching Up: Tyler Smith
October 28, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 28, 2009
BY JOSH PATE
UTSports.com
He was simply testing the waters, but for Tyler Smith, the NBA workout to evaluate his stock in this past season's draft was well worth it. Of course, Smith ditched the early opportunity to jump into pro ball and came back to Knoxville for another season with Tennessee.
Amid all the hype, Smith picked up on elements of his game that will improve his stock down the road - not to mention help the Vols this season.
"The experience of going through that NBA workout was very positive for Tyler because he heard things from them that he's been hearing from me that he needs to do," said UT head coach Bruce Pearl of how his star player can continue to improve his game.
Things like his defense and becoming a stopper when the game's on the line. Things like developing his perimeter shot so that it opens up his steam-engine drive to the basket more often.
They may sound minor on paper, but Pearl thinks it could all add up to an historical package for Smith and for the entire team.
"Tyler and Wayne (Chism) and J.P. (Prince), those guys have the chance to put up some numbers and win some championships and be regarded as, perhaps, some of the all-time greatest players to ever play at the University of Tennessee because of what they accomplished as a team," Pearl said. "I think that's part of the reason why Tyler came back."
So the stats are glaring. He dropped 17.4 points per game last year and grabbed 5.8 rebounds as a junior for the Vols. He's heralded across the region and nation and may have to clear some spots on the shelf for some hardware before it's over. But exactly who is Tyler Smith? What's with the body art? Does the iron-tough image reflect his personality?
One of your trademarks is your tattoos. What's the story behind your tattoos?
"I've got over 45 tattoos. My first one was my praying hands. I've added a lot to it. I love getting tattoos, but at the same time I get them when I'm going through something or if something happens."
If I asked you your hobby, the answer is tattoos? Surely there's more.
"I love to play video games - Xbox, Madden. I love spaghetti. I let Coach (Ken) Johnson cook and it's amazing."
Has he taught you how to cook it?
"He said it's a secret recipe and won't share."
Spaghetti isn't really a tailgating food. What will you be eating on Saturday night before the football team kicks off?
"Cheeseburgers. They grill them out here before games. I don't cook at all. The only thing I can cook is Hamburger Helper. And Ramen noodles."
You've got like a dozen bracelets on your arm. What's the deal?
"I love my glow-in-the-dark one. I've got a blue and red one because it matched the flag. My pops gave me this one, the Livestrong one, before he passed away. I only take it off for games. I've got another one that's glow-in-the-dark and baby blue and has `Team' on it."
How's fatherhood for you?
"I have a little son who's 3 years old and is a handful. His name is Amare, and he's in Pulaski. Just being away from him here at school is tough. Not getting to see him every day. Sometimes he'll call me and ask when I'm coming home - things like that are hard."
Still, despite the four-hour drive to Pulaski, has it been worth the transfer to come back home to Tennessee after playing one year at Iowa?
"I love it. I love being back home here and being the leader of the team that I've always wanted to play for. It is special to me. I take pride in it."
Lots of questions about whether you were going to the NBA or coming back for your senior year. You came back, obviously. So this time next year, when you're competing in preseason games, what is it about Rocky Top that you're going to miss most?
"The support. The fan support. My teammates. I'm going to be in a whole new system, but just being with these guys, that's going to be the big difference. I'm really going to miss being in this orange. Believe me, I'm going to wear it everywhere I go. Of course, the football Saturdays and tailgating. I'm going to really miss that."
There are no NBA teams with Tennessee's orange.
"I know, right! I'm going to wear it."
