7-foot-2 Illini anchor Nick Smith brings size, shooting touch, and steady two-way value
Nick Smith is a classic Illinois big with rare length — listed at 7-foot-2 and 250 pounds — and his game has long leaned on efficient scoring, rebounding, and rim protection rather than flash. In Illinois’ 2003-04 season, he averaged 6.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, then followed with 5.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 38 blocks in 2004-05 while adding a respectable free-throw touch; he was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, which says plenty about his reliability and coachability. If you want a disciplined, high-floor center who can stretch a defense a bit, he’s your guy.
