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• Began his coaching career at Saint Louis University under
current University of Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar.
• Helped guide the 2003-04 St. Mary’s squad to a record
setting season in team scoring while an assistant coach.
• Two time team Defensive Player of the Year for the
University of San Diego.
NCDS: Lamont Smith, Asst. Coach - Arizona State
By: Lamont Smith, Asst. Coach - Arizona State
Hey Devils fans! We had a very good season this year. Most people had ASU picked near the bottom of the Pac10 after losing Jeff Pendergraph and James Harden to the NBA. The team had not only new faces but players who had to assume new roles on the court. We were fortunate to have experienced players like Derek Glasser, Eric Boateng, and Jerren Shipp in our senior class. They were catalysts in helping the team get off to a good start in non-conference play then helping the team bounce back from an 0-2 start in the Pac10 to win 12 of the next 16 games and finish alone in second place.
There were plenty of big highlights in the season for our players. As a team we matched our record for 3 point field goals made in a game with. We were one of top defensive teams in the country which enabled us to finish 22-11 for our 3rd straight 20 win season in the four years coach Sendek has been at ASU and the first time since the 1960’s that has happened.
There were also plenty of individual highlights for our guys. Derek Glasser became the all-time assist leader at Arizona State while also becoming a 1,000 point scorer. Ty Abbott took his game to another level in Pac10 season and earned himself 1st Team All-Pac10 honors. Trent Lockett was also instrumental in being a guy who filled up the stat line for us and earning himself a spot on the Pac10 All-Freshmen team. Eric Boateng had many games where his double-double performances helped us win crucial games down the stretch.
It has been a great year. We will miss guys like Jerren Shipp who have been helpful in teaching our younger guys the right way to do things as a college basketball player. As well as Eric Boateng who was a guy who always was there for his teammates when they needed to be picked up and last but not least Derek Glasser our “quarterback” who was always there to help out his teammates with what we were trying to do on the court.
We eagerly anticipate guys like Ty Abbott, Jamelle McMillan, Rik Kuksisks, and Trent Lockett to step up as we continue on trying to win games and make the NCAA tournament in 2011. We also are happy to welcome all our newcomers to the program next season!!
Thank you everyone for reading my National Coaches' Diary Series entries. I am looking forward to next year and spending time together again with ASU Sun Devil Basketball.
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