Fayetteville’s Smith Overcomes Adversity


Jawan Smith of Fayetteville goes up for a dunk on a fast break against Siloam Springs during the first half Tuesday in Fayetteville.
ABOVE THE RIM
Jawan Smith of Fayetteville goes up for a dunk on a fast break against Siloam Springs during the first half Tuesday in Fayetteville. ABOVE THE RIM

— Ja’wan Smith couldn’t hide his excitement when the basketball season started.

While all of his teammates joined him in that eager moment before the first tipoff of the year, Smith’s level of anticipation was different.

Profile

Ja’Wan Smith

SCHOOL: Fayetteville

CLASS: Senior

POSITION: Guard

HEIGHT: 6-2

NOTABLE: Leads team in scoring, averaging 13.3 points per game. ... Shooting 46.2 percent from 3-point range and third on the team with a 70 percent free throw percentage. ... Being recruited by Snow Junior College. ... Missed final 13 games of last season due to an eligibility issue.

For the Fayetteville senior guard, this day — a Nov. 20 opener against Fort Smith Northside — had been on his mind the entire offseason. Because for Smith, his offseason began much sooner than anyone originally expected.

“That’s what he talked about all summer to me,” Fayetteville boys basketball coach Kyle Adams said. “When last year came to an abrupt halt for him, he put in his time and did what he had to do. And he couldn’t wait for this year and for that first ballgame to roll around.

“I can still remember, he was in like perpetual motion against Northside that first game back. When you put in all the work like he has to get that opportunity again, you just want to see him make the most of it.”

Smith played a significant role as a reserve guard through Fayetteville’s first 16 games last season. Then came news the Bulldogs would have to deal with a major setback throughout the rest of the year, and life without Smith for the remainder of the season.

Fayetteville schools issued a news release last Jan. 20 that stated, “Due to an error in procedures regarding the administration of the eligibility of a student-athlete, the Fayetteville High School boys’ basketball team must forfeit the first four conference games played this season.”

Smith, the student-athlete affected by the eligibility ruling, missed the remainder of the season.

“Going through that made me want it even more coming back out for this new season to not let my team down again,” Smith said. “I want to help get them to the state championship and get us a win, because I feel like I let them down last year. So I can’t let that happen again this year.

“So basically, that made me stronger.”

While Smith had shown promise on the court as a junior, the time off certainly didn’t slow down his progression. In 19 games this season he leads Fayetteville (16-3, 6-0 7A/6A-West) in scoring with 13.3 points per game and is shooting 46.2 percent from 3-point range.

“Ja’wan has only played organized, school basketball since the ninth grade,” Adams said. “Defensively, he struggled a little bit with his technique and knowing where to be in our system. It takes a while to get a handle on all of that stuff and he’s gradually gotten better and better each year. But his offensive skills have always been there. He shoots the ball extremely well, he can drive the ball, he can jump and he’s got all the intangibles.

“As he gets better defensively his game is only going to get better and better.”

Smith is hopeful his return to the Bulldogs’ roster will be the missing ingredient to winning a state championship. Fayetteville finished as Class 7A runner-up last season, but Smith believes the Bulldogs have the makings of a title run this time around.

And with his difficult junior season now well behind him, he’s certainly enjoying every minute of it.

“The only thing I wish is that this season would slow down,” Smith said. “It’s been a lot of fun, but it’s going by too fast. Before you know it, the games will be over and we’ll be in the state tournament.”

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