Josh Smith released

[MUalum12]

Josh Smith was released per his request by UCLA. Should we go after him as a transfer? After a year of conditioning he could be the next Davante? Seeing as we currently have no center on the roster after Davante graduates could be a solid plan

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/224695/Joshua_Smith_Leaves_UCLA

[Dawson Rental]

Josh Smith was released per his request by UCLA. Should we go after him as a transfer? After a year of conditioning he could be the next Davante? Seeing as we currently have no center on the roster after Davante graduates could be a solid plan

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/224695/Joshua_Smith_Leaves_UCLA

More likely, he becomes the second coming of Lloyd Moore.  ("Please don't feed Josh Smith" posters could erupt all over campus.)

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

Averaged 10 ppg as a freshman. Minutes decreased since then. If he transfered he would have a year and a half of eligibility left. He said he might declare for NBA draft instead of transfer...Would anyone take a guy like this?

[Dawson Rental]

Averaged 10 ppg as a freshman. Minutes decreased since then. If he transfered he would have a year and a half of eligibility left. He said he might declare for NBA draft instead of transfer...Would anyone take a guy like this?

If I'm an NBA team, I definitely look at him for locker room security.  He can block a doorway all by himself.

[AirPunches]

Sure, why not. Although, he would only play in about 20 games at MU so not sure it's even worth his trouble. (I think he loses a full year. Isn't that what happened to Maymon and Reggie Smith?)

Also, he's really out of shape and I'm not sure he would want to work as hard as Buzz would command.

[Dawson Rental]

Averaged 10 ppg as a freshman. Minutes decreased since then. If he transfered he would have a year and a half of eligibility left. He said he might declare for NBA draft instead of transfer...Would anyone take a guy like this?

Sure, why not. Although, he would only play in about 20 games at MU so not sure it's even worth his trouble.

I think that MARQ_13's point is well taken.  A mid-year transfer means no redshirt year, right?  So, only one more semester (second) for him to play.

[LloydMooresLegs]

More likely, he becomes the second coming of Lloyd Moore.  ("Please don't feed Josh Smith" posters could erupt all over campus.)

YEEESSSSS!!!!!!!

[nyg]

He's from the west coast (Washington), no ties to MU in his prior recruiting, 50 pounds overweight and would not make it at MU.  You think Gardner gets winded running?

He was a five star recruit out of high school, but the weight issue probably caught up with him.  After typing, just found this article which is pretty much in line:

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/68506/josh-smith-the-once-and-always-project

[mr.MUskie]

Joshua Smith, plagued by weight issues, quits UCLA basketball team

The 6-foot-10, 300-plus-pound junior center did not practice Tuesday and met with Coach Ben Howland on Wednesday.

November 28, 2012, 1:59 p.m.
UCLA junior center Joshua Smith has quit the Bruins basketball team, the school announced Wednesday, thus ending his up-and-down career in Westwood that has been plagued by weight and conditioning issues.

"I have made the decision to leave the program for personal reasons," Smith said in a statement. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCLA and am grateful for the opportunity that has been presented to me here."

Smith has been granted his release, effective immediately. It is unclear if he will stay in school at UCLA or if he intends to transfer.

A person close to the team confirmed that the 6-foot-10, 300-plus-pound Smith did not practice Tuesday because of "weight issues," which has been an issue for the junior during his time with the Bruins.

Another person close to the situation said that Smith was mulling over whether to quit the team Tuesday, and that he met with Coach Ben Howland on Wednesday to discuss his future at UCLA.

"Joshua is a fine young man who has meant a lot to this program," Howland said in a statement. "I know I speak for myself and my staff when I thank him for his time in Westwood and wish him well in his future endeavors."

Smith, a Kent, Wash., native, came to UCLA with McDonald's All-American honors and was ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 center recruit in the country. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 3 center nationally and Scout.com ranked him as the No. 4 center nationally. 

Smith's production slipped in each of his seasons at UCLA. He played in all of UCLA's six games this season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 13.5 minutes.

UCLA has eight scholarship players left: four are freshmen, three are transfers from North Carolina and the other is Norman Powell.

Smith's transfer follows the recent departure of Tyler Lamb, who announced he was leaving the team Sunday.

[ChicosBailBonds]

[LloydMooresLegs]

OMG.  It is me. 

Seriously, though, that is sad.

[JoBo2756]

Yeah, let's get THAT guy!

[Bocephys]

I could watch that all day and still never figure out what exactly he is doing with his legs.

[JWags85]

Not to mention he's been rumored to be a locker room cancer/distraction.  We don't need that.  We'll get ours.  This dude is the polar opposite of a Jae Crowder/Jimmy Butler type.

[GGGG]

Averaged 10 ppg as a freshman. Minutes decreased since then. If he transfered he would have a year and a half of eligibility left. He said he might declare for NBA draft instead of transfer...Would anyone take a guy like this?

No, he would have one year of eligibility left.  Eligibility doesn't get used in half-year increments.

He would have to sit until the second semester of next year at least.  He would have the option of using his one year remaining in the second semester of 2013-14 or the entire year of 2014-15.  (Assuming he hasn't redshirted yet...which I don't think he has.)

And there is not a chance I want him at MU.  None.

[Pakuni]

Anyone care to guess which player graced the cover of UCLA's game program last night?

[6Under20]

Perfect alley-oop pass if #4 doesn't quit on the play........

[dgies9156]

More likely, he becomes the second coming of Lloyd Moore.  ("Please don't feed Josh Smith" posters could erupt all over campus.)

CHOCOLATE MOOSE LIVES!!!!!