Quincy Smith has a willingness to adapt to new situations, and that’s usually a good trait for a point guard – especially one in a new situation himself.
Smith, a 6-foot sophomore, is in his first season with the University of Hawai’i basketball team, but he already seems to understand that his role extends beyond his own direct responsibilities.
“At the point guard position you have to know all the positions and all the plays,” he said. “If a guy’s in a wrong position, it’s kind of my fault, even though he doesn’t know … it’s kind of navigating guys through the offense.”
Smith was the starting point guard as a freshman last season on a City College of San Francisco team that was ranked No. 1 in the California junior college system for most of the season.
“I always say the number 1 stat for a point guard is not assists or points or anything like that. Its wins,” Hawaii head coach Gib Arnold said. “And Quincy Smith had more wins than any other point guard in California last year.”
Smith is still learning the UH system and adjusting to a more physical style of play on the NCAA Division I level. However, his athleticism is certainly helping his cause.
“We’re going to be running a lot; a lot of pressing and pushing the ball,” he said. “So I think as athletic as I am, pushing the ball and being able to make plays that will benefit the team.”
Smith is apparently adapting well to life in Hawai’i off the basketball court as well. In particular, he enjoys going to the beaches – despite his lack of swimming skills.
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“I fell in love with the beach,” he said. “We don’t have quite as good beaches and the weather (in California).”
Although he does not know how to swim, Smith said he has found a way to adapt. “I go in to about here,” he said, holding his hand to his chest to signify how deep he can venture into the ocean. “I don’t go in too far.”
The hope for the future is that he will be able to lead himself and the team to greater depths as he continues to learn and adapt.