High School Sports Blog

Mason Kelley covers High School Sports for The Seattle Times. Sandy Ringer is also a frequent contributor to this blog.

November 7, 2009 at 11:59 AM

Joshua Smith: No decision yet

Now that Kentwood's football season is over (the Conquerors were eliminated by Issaquah last night), it shouldn't be long before Joshua Smith announces whether he plans to continue his basketball career at Washington or UCLA.

But he's apparently not ready yet.

I saw Smith this morning at the West Central District 4A volleyball tournament at Kentwood -- the 6-foot-10 senior is here supporting the K-dub team that still has a chance to qualify for state.

I asked him when he was going to announce his decision, and he said he didn't know. I asked him if he's made his decision and he said no.

The early signing period starts next Wednesday, which happens to be Veteran's Day.

Smith, regarded as the No. 1 high-school center in the country by internet sites, is a friendly guy who is easy to talk to most of the time. We were chatting about last night's football game and the cut he had on his left hand as a result of a fingernail gouge.

But when the conversation turns to his college decision, Smith can't wait to change the subject and/or walk away -- without being rude, mind you. He visited Washington last weekend (and was at UCLA earlier last month). His mother had said earlier that Joshua likely would make his decision soon after the UW visit.

I expect it will be announced at some kind of press conference -- several TV networks have asked him to have the ceremony live at their complex. Personally, I'm hoping he and his family put something together at Kentwood, his home turf. But that couldn't happen Wednesday as there's no school that day.

Basketball turnouts start a week from Monday. The Conquerors open South Puget Sound League 4A North Division play on Friday, Dec. 4, against Kent-Meridian. Then on the 8th, a Tuesday, they take on Federal Way, the defending state champion.

I really think Smith wants to get the announcement out of the way before the season starts -- or at least before we move too far into it. We'll certainly keep you as updated as we are.

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Joshua Smith: No decision yet

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