After a tremendous senior season in which he was named the Catholic League Player of the Year, Fenwick senior point guard Mike Smith committed to Columbia on Tuesday.
The 5-foot-9 Smith is headed to the Ivy League after averaging 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals per game for the Friars. Behind Smith's senior leadership and a balanced attack, Fenwick was regular season and conference tournament champions of the Catholic League during the season.
"It's an opportunity of a lifetime," Smith said to CSN. "Not only do I get a premier education, I get to go somewhere like Fenwick all over again where basketball is on the rise and I can help put it on the map."
Shooting 43 percent from 3-point range and 82 percent from the free-throw line, Smith was one of the area's most consistent shooters this season and he seemed to play his best games against top competition. Smith had 38 points in a win over Simeon this season and also had 32 in a win over Riverside-Brookfield.
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Smith told CSN that he felt comfortable with his future at Columbia and that he's happy to be in the Ivy League.
"From the head coach all the way down to the grad assistant I felt like I was wanted and I felt like with these coaches we can make history," Smith said. "I just feel like the Ivy League is becoming a much better conference and I want to be a part of that. When I visited it felt like I was at home and it was the best place for me. That's why I chose Columbia over the other schools."
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When the CSN All-Area team is unveiled this week, Smith will find himself on the list as he was one of the state's best players this season. Smith finished second in voting for Mr. Basketball of Illinois.