Top recruit all but says goodbye to IU basketball

IU men's basketball recruit Josh Smith may have lost his eligibility to play for the Hoosiers by participating in Wednesday night's McDonald's All-Star Game.\nSmith signed a letter of intent with IU in November. But many scouts believe he could be one of the top picks in the NBA draft if he enters, but Smith has made no statement to the public about his final decision. \nThe 6-foot-8 senior from Powder Springs, Ga., may have already made his statement about whether or not he'll go pro. By participating in the McDonald's All-Star Game Wednesday night, Smith violated an NCAA rule regarding all-star game participation, which may cause him to be ineligible for his freshman year, should he attend IU. \nAccording to NCAA rules, "a student-athlete shall be denied the first year of intercollegiate athletics competition, if following completion of high school eligibility, and prior to the student-athlete's high school graduation, he participates in more than two all-star basketball contests."\nSmith already competed at the EA Sports Roundball Classic in Chicago and the EA Sports/Adidas All-American Game in Knoxville, Tenn., last week. \nThe rule however, is not set in stone. NCAA spokesman Jeff Howard told The Associated Press penalties are assessed on a case-by-case basis, but Smith is also listed on the roster for the Jordan Capital Classic April 17 at the University of Maryland. If he plays in that game, he would violate the rule again, making it even harder for the NCAA to let the infraction slide. \nIn an interview with the AP, Smith's high school coach Steve Smith -- no relation -- said if Josh Smith played in three all-star games, he would skip college to enter the NBA Draft.\nThis past season, Smith led Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., to a 38-0 record while averaging 23 points, eight rebounds, seven steals, seven assists and five blocks per game. Oak Hill has traditionally been a preparatory school for basketball players who plan to go to the NBA, such as Carmelo Anthony and Jerry Stackhouse.\nLeBron James, the No.1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, also skipped college and went straight to the pros.\nIU coach Mike Davis said Smith would have been a great addition to the team, but the Hoosiers are not in trouble without him.\n"This was Josh's decision, and while it is disappointing for our program, I support him," Davis said. "This is why we're recruiting several frontcourt players, so we have some options for the future."\nDavis has done well with recruiting big men, as four of the five players who have committed to IU, including Smith, are forwards at 6-foot-5 or taller. All five of the committed players are in the top 100 in this year's recruiting class. Smith is currently listed as the No. 3 recruit in the country according to www.RivalsHoops.com. The first day for athletes to sign national letters of intent is April 14, and the deadline for early-entry players to get into the 2004 NBA Draft is May 12.