Jan. 06--Height is non-negotiable.
It will always be a priority for college coaches on the recruiting trail, and no amount of work will get a prospect to the ideal height for his position.
Mike Smith can't do anything about being 5-foot-9, yet everything within the Fenwick senior's power has been improved over the years.
At Fenwick coach Rick Malnati's behest, the four-year varsity player has become an absolute pest of an on-ball defender. Smith's quick feet, strong upper body and a desire to play hard on every possession were on full display during Fenwick's runner-up performance at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament last week.
His feel for the game was always evident on the offensive end, a balance of scoring and creating, shooting the jumper and making plays off the dribble.
At 6-1, he'd be an obvious target for major-conference schools. At 5-9 with impressive credentials in the classroom, his priority may not be playing for a traditional power.
"I feel like the Ivy League is a really good education and somewhere I can play and maybe start my freshman year," Smith said. "I might do something different. I feel like I can do something different there."
Between No. 4 Fenwick's challenging schedule and the next signing period a few months away, Smith will continue to take his time with a decision.
Malnati said San Diego, UC Davis, Boston and St. Louis have shown interest recently, but the Ivy League may have the edge.
"I'm just going along with the flow, letting college coaches come talk to my parents, talk to my coaches," Smith said. "I feel like Columbia, Dartmouth and Drake are talking to me the most."
Rakocevic gaining attention: The overall talent level is a bit down this season because there are not a lot of high-major recruits in the senior class, but that was not evident in the colleges that were represented at Proviso West.
North Carolina, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, USC, Miami (Fla.) and Creighton stopped by Proviso last week, in addition to usual suspects, such as Illinois and DePaul.
They all came to see St. Joseph center Nick Rakocevic, the 6-11 senior who is having a big season statistically and keeping the No. 8 Chargers (11-2) relevant despite the loss of four starters from last year's Class 3A championship team.
Rakocevic said he was sad to see Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan step down but remains interested in the Badgers because he has an existing relationship with interim coach Greg Gard.
Former UIC head coach Howard Moore, whom Gard brought back for a second stint on the Wisconsin staff after Ryan stepped down unexpectedly Dec. 15, represented the Badgers at Proviso.
Ohio State checks out Eastern: In town to play Northwestern on Wednesday night, Ohio State coaches were expected to drop by the Highland Park-Evanston game Tuesday. The Buckeyes have yet to offer Evanston's Nojel Eastern, but they wouldn't see him play if they weren't interested.
Several schools in the Midwest, including Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan State, have offered the 6-foot-4 junior.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
