Jared Smoot (No. 42) as a junior versus Merrillville Feb. 2, 2010. The 6-foot-10 senior committed to attend and play basketball for the U.S. Naval Academy in 2011-2012. (Photo by Mark Smith)

Bulldogs' Smoot commits to play basketball for U.S. Naval Academy

A USA-365.com Staff Report
10-26-2010

CROWN POINT, IN (10-25-2010) Crown Point High School senior Jared Smoot has committed to play basketball next season at the United States Naval Academy. Smoot, a 6’10” center, made his intentions known while taking his official visit over the weekend to the Annapolis, Maryland campus.

Smoot averaged 8.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game for the 8-13 Bulldogs last season. He went on to play A.A.U. basketball for the renowned S.Y.F. organization based in Northwest Indiana. After only taking up basketball for the first time in the eighth grade, Smoot continues to make giant strides in his game, and a number of

institutions took notice.

Smoot chose Navy over Brown, Ball State, Evansville, and Northwood. Cornell, Fordham, and Northwestern had also expressed genuine interest.

Navy is coached by Billy Lange, who is in his seventh year at the helm after serving as an assistant coach to Jay Wright at Villanova for three years. The Midshipmen compete in

the Patriot League and last played in the NCAA tournament in 1998.