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By Ron P. Coderre
In an announcement he broke himself via his personal Twitter account, Putnam Science Academy’s rising star Dashon Smith revealed his selection of the college he’ll attend following his time in Putnam. Smith announced he’s decided to attend Atlantic 10 University of Dayton where he’ll play for coach Archie Miller.
Since last season, when he was the lynchpin of the Mustangs hoop success, through the summer with his AAU team, the new York Lightning, Smith has been courted by more than a dozen NCAA Division I schools. He selected Dayton in large part because of coach Miller and a recent visit he had to the Ohio college.
“Dayton did a good job recruiting me. They had a good connection with my family and they didn’t miss a game all summer,” Smith told ESPN’s Adam Finkelstein.
In early September coach Miller visited Putnam Science Academy and once again observed Smith workout under the watchful eye of coach Tom Espinosa. At that time Miller told Putnam Town Crier Sports, “We’re (University of Dayton) very interested in Dashon. We love his skills on the basketball court but we also like his mature demeanor as a person.”
The University of Dayton has been known for years as a hotbed of basketball. The Flyers play in front of an enthusiastic audience of more than 13,000 fans in the newly refurbished Dayton Arena every home game. The arena also hosts the NCAA Tournament play-in game every year because of its great reputation. The Flyers also are recognized for ensuring that their athletes not only enjoy basketball but are prepared academically for the real world when they graduate.
“I’m very pleased for Dayshon. He’s made a great choice in the University of Dayton. Since attending Putnam Science Academy as an inner city kid, he’s made the adjustment seamlessly. He’s a good student, who’s loved by the faculty,” said Espinosa.
The 6-foot, 2-inch point guard affectionately known as “Scoochie” by his friends and teammates, came to Putnam last year following the closure of Brother Rice High School in New York. He led the Mustangs in assists and steals last season, while still managing to score 15 points a game.
Coach Espinosa is looking for Smith to be his team leader and facilitator this season.
“Dashon has worked hard to improve his shot and his ability to get to the rim. He believes in himself as a person and on the court. This new found confidence has helped prove to coaches he’s ready for the next level,” said Espinosa.
Prior to making his decision to attend the University of Dayton, Smith was being highly recruited other Division I schools, Providence College, Illinois, Penn State University, Duquesne University, DePaul University and the University of Pittsburgh.
With the prep school season on the horizon, Smith is looking forward to leading the Mustangs. Joining Smith this season is another New York product Jamel Mosely who is also being recruited by Division I schools, Long Island University, University of New Hampshire and Wofford University. The Mustangs will also feature a pair of big men in 6-11 Ugar Hortum from Turkey and 6-9 Paul Brooks of Arlington, Massachusetts. Three other New York-area products, 6-5 Mairega Clarke and Joel Angus are ready for the start of the season as is another post player Dante Rutty.
Smith is the second player from an Eastern Connecticut school in recent years to select the University of Dayton to further their basketball careers. Norwich Free Academy graduate and recently named St. Bernard basketball coach, Marc Jones enjoyed four seasons at Dayton as the Flyers starting point guard.