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Louisville basketball: The most underrated players of the 21st century

By Presley Meyer

SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 20: Wayne Blackshear #25 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after defeating the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyArena on March 20, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 20: Wayne Blackshear #25 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after defeating the UC Irvine Anteaters during the second round of the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at KeyArena on March 20, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 24: Chris Smith #5 of the Louisville Cardinals cuts down the net after defeating the Florida Gators 72-68 during the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional Final at US Airways Center on March 24, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 24: Chris Smith #5 of the Louisville Cardinals cuts down the net after defeating the Florida Gators 72-68 during the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball West Regional Final at US Airways Center on March 24, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Chris Smith

Career stats: 9.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg

When Louisville fans look back at the 2011-12 team that went on the surprise run to the Final Four, I’d be willing to bet a lot of money that they don’t think about or mention Chris Smith.

After transferring from Manhattan, Smith became an integral part of Rick Pitino’s backcourt playing a lot of minutes and providing key versatility.

Whether it was locking down opposing wings, attacking the rim relentlessly – even in his smaller stature, or knocking down crucial shots, Smith was a part of the glue that held two years of Louisville teams together.

Smith transferred to Louisville only being known as J.R. Smith’s little brother and left as one of the most important transfers in recent memory.  No one knew what to expect what he’d be able to provide to a team that was full of talent, but not quite talented enough to make a run in the tournament, and with his help that’s exactly what his team did in 2011-2012.

Starting in 58 of the total 75 games he played in a Louisville uniform, Smith averaged a little over nine points, four rebounds, and almost two assists a game, while scoring in double-digits on 17 occasions in 2011.

It may be a stretch to say that without Smith’s leadership and toughness the Cards wouldn’t have been able to make a run to the Final Four which helped set up a return the next year to win a Championship, but maybe it’s not. Regardless of where you stand, Chris Smith is a guy who doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

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