Kentucky shooter elects to walk-on at Vandy

Regardless of era, the one thing Vanderbilt basketball has been known for has been it's great shooters. And the state that has produced a good number of those shooters has been the state of Kentucky.

Legendary players from the Bluegrass such as Phil Cox, Barry Goheen and Scott Draud would often make nights and weekends at Memorial Gym a shooting spectacle.

Recently, another solid shooter from the Lexington area decided he would like to take a shot at joining that Vanderbilt tradition when 6-foot-6, 165-pound guard Jordan Smart of the Lexington Catholic Knights gave a committment to the 'Dores as an invited walk-on.

"Jordan Smart did commit to Vandy over the weekend on his visit," Lexington Catholic veteran coach Brandon Salsman told VandySports.com recently. "He has committed as a preferred walk-on.

"I know that Vandy loves his upside, loves the way he shoots the ball, and thinks that he will be a very good player for them down the road.

"He turned down Division one offers to be able to do this." continued Salsman. "He is a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, that shot above 40 percent behind the three-point line last year for us and we expect even greater things from him this year."

Ranked by Rivals.com Kentucky high school site, KentuckyPreps.com, as the 21st best prospect in the state for the 2008 class, Smart chose the Commodores over offers from Ivy League programs Princeton, Harvard and Yale as well as an offer from Centenary.

A member of the Derek Smith All-Star AAU program in the summer time, Smart has grown his game over the years while attending several camps and tournaments, working on his craft and improving each year.

"We have seen some great three-point shooters here in the history of Lexington Catholic, but Jordan ranks right at the top of that list," Salsman said. "He is an exceptional young man with and exceptional shot. There is no one that I would rather have shoot a three-point shot to win a game than Jordan Smart.

"I really feel that after a few years in Vandy's system, he will be a contributor for them. Once he gets on campus and really works on his weight and strength, I think he will fit in Vandy's system very well."

Salsman feels that Smart is worth the hype associated with being a described "Kentucky shooter" and feels that Vanderbilt is not going to regret giving Smart a chance to join the program.

"He is another one of those great shooters out of Kentucky that will fill it up in Memorial Gym. He is the second player from our program to go to Vandy and if he works as hard as the first, Frank Kornet, he will have a great career.

"I believe that Coach [Kevin] Stallings, with the help of Coach [Dan] Muller, has really found a diamond in the rough. He [Smart] has a Reggie Miller type of shot because of his length, he is very tough to defend on the three-point line.

"He is also a 90-percent free throw shooter and averaged 13.4 points per game last year. We should be one of the top three teams in the state of Kentucky if not preseason No.1 thanks to the Jordan and his teammates work. He has played varsity since his freshman year."

Lexington Catholic is the winningest program in the state of Kentucky since 1990. This years Catholic team will also include fellow 2008 prospect Nathan Novosel.

In addition to being ranked by KentuckyPreps.com, Smart is also ranked fourth in the state by the Kentucky Basketball Report.

KentuckyPreps.com Scouting Breakdown:

"Solid overall skills and agilities, has strong understanding of game and fundamentals. Can shoot off the dribble, prefers the spot up. Has strong range, improving midrange game to match ability to spot up and drop threes. Plays without flash, makes plays with few unforced errors. Perimeter defense has improved steadily. Added strength and footwork will provide opportunity for ranking to climb."