hokiesports.com - Men's Basketball

23 Drew Smith
Class: Freshman	Height: 6-3
Hometown: Beckley, W.Va.	Weight: 190
Position: Guard	High School: Woodrow Wilson
A Talk With Drew College basketball is certainly a big transition. What did you do to prepare to play at the NCAA Division I level? I worked out all summer, ran to get in shape and worked on my game because I knew it would be tough coming into college, especially at a big- time Division I school. I just prepared myself the best I could. This summer was my last chance to get ready before I came to college, so I put in a few more hours a week and it seemed to pay off. Even though it is new to you, how has the strength and conditioning program affected your game? What do you see it bringing you in the long run? I think strength is a key thing during college basketball. I've worked hard on the weights, but I'm no where near where I need to be. But I can already tell in the first six weeks that it is helping a lot. With the conditioning part of it, I am probably in the best shape of my life. So that's going to help me in the long run Why did you select Virginia Tech, and is it what you expected this school and college in general to be? I selected Virginia Tech because it's a good school. My plans are to go to medical school and hopefully become a doctor and I knew this is a good academic school. All the coaches are really nice guys and they want to turn this program around. I just want to be part of it. Another reason is that it's only an hour and a half from home. I am enjoying it so far and it's been everything I expected.

Joined the Hokies as a walk-on at the beginning of the fall semester ... Comes to Tech from Woodrow Wilson High School, one of the top AAA programs in the state of West Virginia ... Will look to see time at shooting guard for the Hokies ... Could see time at point guard ... Has a good outside shooting touch ... Has quick hands and feet ... Can penetrate and dish out the ball ... Runs the floor well ... Plays with enthusiasm ... Is left-handed ... An outstanding student in the classroom.

High School: Played high school basketball for Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, WV ... Was a three-year letterwinner for coach Dave Barksdale ... Earned AAA all-state honors as a junior and senior ... Averaged 20.4 points and 10.2 rebounds as a senior ... Guided his team to the AAA state championship his sophomore and junior seasons ... Led Woodrow Wilson to the state semifinals last year ... Was a McDonald's All-American nominee ... Tabbed a Street and Smith's honorable mention All-American as a senior ... Lists his performance in the West Virginia state quarterfinals when he stole the ball with eight seconds left and scored to force an overtime win as his greatest basketball moment ... Was a part of six AAU state championships ... A member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Andrew Smith ... Born 9/1/80 in Beckley, WV ... Son of Danny and Linda Kay Smith ... Father was a three-year letterman in football at West Virginia University ... Plans to major in biology.