<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">If Steven Smith decides to go forward, any plans to leave La Salle University after this, his junior season, there's one thing about life at 20th and Olney he won't have to worry about. Smith was an academic non-qualifier who had to sit out his freshman season. Now, three years later, he's on pace to graduate with a degree in business management. "It's really gratifying," Smith said. "I didn't know what to expect. Some people didn't think I could make it. I'm proud of myself. I only have two more months." Whether Smith has just two more months as a member of the Explorers men's basketball team remains to be seen. Smith, named Tuesday as the Atlantic 10 Conference's Co-Player of the Year, plans on testing the waters by proving himself for NBA scouts after the season ends. If the situation seems right, he'll declare for the NBA Draft. If it doesn't, he'll do what Saint Joseph's Jameer Nelson did two years ago and come back for one more season. "I've got an idea of what I need to do and how the process works," Smith said. "I'm prepared for anything." Before any of that, however, Smith and his teammates will compete in this week's Atlantic 10 Tournament at Cincinnati's U.S. Bank Arena. La Salle (9-18, 5-11 A-10) opens play at 2 p.m. today with a first-round game against UMass (16-11, 9-7 A-10).</div> Source
He's a proven college baller and A-10 co player of the year. If he declares, he could go maybe early/mid 2nd round.
