NCAA Basketball: Graduate transfer Derrik Smits down to three schools

Valparaiso’s Derrik Smits is graduate transferring this offseason. Which NCAA basketball schools are in the running to land the experienced big man?

Transfer season is here. There might not be any real college basketball game occurring at the moment but coaches around the country are certainly busy on the recruitment trail. This comes in a few different forms as well. Recruiting high school players is always the top priority but the transfer market has increased in prevalence over the years. This is especially true with regards to graduate transfers, who are granted immediate eligibility. That is the case with Derrik Smits, a 7-foot-1 center who spent the past few years with Valparaiso and is now in the grad transfer market.

Due to his status as an immediately eligible big man, Smits has been contacted by several high-major programs since announcing his intentions to transfer. During this past season, Smits functioned in a fairly reasonable role for Valparaiso. While finishing on a career-high 59.4% of his field goals, Smits averaged 12.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 21.7 minutes per game. These might not be superb numbers but he is one of the better grad transfer big men on the market.

And with the expectation of his commitment coming prior to or on April 28th, there are three schools reportedly left in the running: NC State, Arizona State, and Butler. All of these programs would be eager to land another big man heading into next season. He is expected to visit each one more time prior to making his decision. So, without any further ado, let’s dive into analyzing how he might fit at each of the schools left on his list.

NC State Wolfpack

In the first two seasons under head coach Kevin Keatts, NC State has typically deployed only one true big man and they already have DJ Funderburk (6-foot-10) returning for his junior season. The expectation should be that Funderburk reprises his role as the primary big on the roster. This also does not include the fact that the team also boasts a couple of other returning big men in Wyatt Walker and Manny Bates (redshirted this past year). Editor’s note: Walker elected to forgo his final year of eligibility after this piece was published.

Additionally, they play at a fast pace with a tendency to let it fly from distance. Due to this offensive scheme, it makes sense that the Wolfpack often play small in hopes of outrunning their opposition. Because of this, it seems unlikely that Smits would be able to take on a major role within the rotation. Valparaiso’s offense often ran through Smits while he was on the court and that would not be the case in Raleigh.

Regardless, if Coach Keatts is interested (which he obviously is), then there would be a spot in the rotation for Smits. He might not stretch the floor from distance but he would be a big body in the paint with the potential to alter shots around the rim and snag some rebounds. There is nothing wrong with that and he would likely play upwards of 10 minutes per game.

Arizona State Sun Devils

In similar fashion to NC State, Arizona State loves to get up and down the court. They ranked in the top-50 nationally in pace a year ago and that could be an issue with regards to this recruitment. Smits, as a true big man at 7-foot-1, does not run the floor tremendously well and might not be a great fit for the system. With that said, though, the Sun Devils could use another big next year and he might pair nicely next to returning forward Romello White.

De’Quon Lake, the only true big in the rotation a year ago, is graduating this offseason and Smits would be able to immediately slide into a similar role. While playing a touch under 15 minutes per game a year ago, Lake was one of the most efficient clean-up scorers in the nation with his 76.6% shooting from the floor. With his departure, Smits could emerge as the primary big man for the team even if he does not play a ton of minutes. He might not be a featured member of the offense but could play a “big” factor on the glass and around the rim defensively. Even if he is not superb in either facet, Smits would represent a big body down low.

With regards to his ties to the school, it is important to mention that his father, Rik Smits, lives in Arizona and that could be a potential draw to the state. Even though he is originally from Indiana, the idea of playing closer to where his father currently resides could be quite appealing for his final collegiate season.

Butler Bulldogs

The fit here is relatively obvious. Smits is an Indiana native and has spent the last few years playing college ball within the state as well. And while it is possible that he wants to leave the “Hoosier State”, Butler could be the top destination due to the location and potential for playing time in his final season. To put it simply, he would be in line for significant minutes should he choose to play in Hinkle Fieldhouse – although that could easily be the case at all three schools.

This is due to the fact that Butler has a massive hole at the center position heading into this coming season. In addition to losing Nate Fowler to graduation this offseason, the Dawgs have also already seen Joey Brunk transfer down the road to Indiana. This leaves the team without a true center on the roster and that certainly poses an issue.

It is expected that rising junior forward Bryce Nze, who sat out last season due to transfer rules, will see his fair share of minutes at the center position but he will need help. And while this could come in the form of rising sophomore Bryce Golden, he is also more of a power forward in scope. John-Michael Mulloy is also coming in as a freshman but most believe that he will be a redshirt candidate. To put it simply, Butler could use a big body in the middle and Smits would fit the bill.

It is unclear whether or not Smits would be a starting caliber player at the Big East level but he should be able to provide at least 10-15 solid minutes as a reserve. He might not be the best graduate transfer on the market but he would fit a huge need. Smits would be a logical fit for the Butler roster next season while he also helps keep a scholarship available for the 2020 recruiting class.

Final Prediction: Butler.

Smits has been rumored to be a Butler candidate throughout the majority of this offseason. He already visited campus a couple of weeks back but is expected to make a return trip prior to making his final commitment. Butler is reportedly going to be his final visit before making a decision and that bodes well for the program. This could be Smits’ best opportunity to play major minutes (and as a potential featured option as a reserve) at a high level due to the major hole at center for Butler.