Freshman G Smith will transfer from Illinois

[March 06, 2018]    Guard Mark Smith, the state's Mr. Basketball winner last season, has decided to transfer from the University of Illinois, the school confirmed Monday.

The 6-foot-4 freshman averaged 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 19.1 minutes per game. He shot 33.7 percent from the field and just 23.2 percent on 3-point attempts for the Illini, 14-18 this season.

Smith started 16 of the Illini's first 17 games and scored a season-high 21 points against DePaul on Nov. 17.

"We thank Mark for the effort and contributions he made to our team this year," coach Brad Underwood said in a statement. "We wish him nothing but the best as he continues to pursue his dreams."

Smith had numerous Division I offers, including several in the Big Ten, coming out of high school in Edwardsville, Ill. He was also recruited by schools as a baseball pitcher.

He met Monday with administrators and is expected to receive a release from his scholarship in this week.

"I love the university, but this is not going to work out for me here," Smith told the Belleville News-Democrat. "I'll miss my teammates a lot. I talked to all those guys and we're still going to keep in contact. "

-- Field Level Media

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