Ray Smith is an exceptional human being: a Tribute

[prh]

Anybody know how his recovery is going? I thought I saw him by McKale yesterday, but walking perfectly normal and no brace/wrap/anything on his knee (why I'm not sure it was him). I'm not sure how those get handled, but considering how bad this one was I'd think he at least has something on it.

[Alieberman]

Anybody know how his recovery is going? I thought I saw him by McKale yesterday, but walking perfectly normal and no brace/wrap/anything on his knee (why I'm not sure it was him). I'm not sure how those get handled, but considering how bad this one was I'd think he at least has something on it.

They show him shooting warm ups with the team before games and I never see him wearing anything on it.

[azcat49]

I wonder if for Sr day they might do something special for him or will they wait for 3 or 4 more years?

[Alieberman]

Love that Ray has been a part of this team all year and great to see him in Salt Lake with the rest of the team.

Do we think this will continue next year? I hope so

[Bangkok Wildcat]

Love that Ray has been a part of this team all year and great to see him in Salt Lake with the rest of the team.

Do we think this will continue next year? I hope so

Me too....I especially enjoyed watching him cut down the P12 Tourney Nets.....just two more of those net cutting ceremonies to go . BTFD....Nothing but good hopes for this young man!

[Gimino]

Great attitude. What a bright future, even if he can't play basketball. He talks about heeding advice from his dad and what he would like to do next ...

Ray Smith finds blessings after third ACL injury

[Alieberman]

Great stuff Gimino

[azcat49]

Glad he us with the team and if it is in the cards watching him cut drown the nets as we head back to Glendale would bring tears to many an eye

[wyo-cat]

Tidy article about Ray Smith, AG. He is learning that his basketball playing had to end at some time, sadly it was before it started. He is making the most of his educational opportunities to prepare for a life after basketball. Good for him.

I'm proud of our coach, program and athletic department stepping up and helping RS move on to the next phase of his life. Which is what college is all about.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

The article says Ray wasn't at the P12 Tourney....I thought I saw video of him cutting down the nets there...am I wrong?

[UAEebs86]

The article says Ray wasn't at the P12 Tourney....I thought I saw video of him cutting down the nets there...am I wrong?

He came late because he had school commitments. He drove up in time to cut down the nets.

[Spaceman Spiff]

The article says Ray wasn't at the P12 Tourney....I thought I saw video of him cutting down the nets there...am I wrong?

He came late because he had school commitments. He drove up in time to cut down the nets.

Good for Ray. Making a switch to school priorities is another marker of maturity.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

The article says Ray wasn't at the P12 Tourney....I thought I saw video of him cutting down the nets there...am I wrong?

He came late because he had school commitments. He drove up in time to cut down the nets.

Thanks UAE! Good for him.

[BearDown89]

I swear to God, all these kids on this team, Ray included, are such engaging, bright and confident guys. Ray was aces in that interview.

[Bangkok Wildcat]

I swear to God, all these kids on this team, Ray included, are such engaging, bright and confident guys. Ray was aces in that interview.

Well-said BearDown89....especially impressive after all the adversities of this year.....I can't get enough of the 'behind the scenes' stuff where we get to see them act more natural.....really seems like they are the closest TEAM we've had in a while (not to disparage previous teams by any stretch).....add in the youth factor and it's even more impressive.

There's a good reason CSM constantly praises them as 'one of the most coachable teams' he's ever had. They deserve good things and hope a deep run is their reward. Bear Down!

[VegasCatFan]

The article says Ray wasn't at the P12 Tourney....I thought I saw video of him cutting down the nets there...am I wrong?

He came late because he had school commitments. He drove up in time to cut down the nets.

I didn't think he was there. They announced each players name prior to them climbing up the ladder to cut the net and when they announced his name there was a huge roar from the crowd but nobody climbed up the ladder.

[UAEebs86]

The article says Ray wasn't at the P12 Tourney....I thought I saw video of him cutting down the nets there...am I wrong?

He came late because he had school commitments. He drove up in time to cut down the nets.

I didn't think he was there. They announced each players name prior to them climbing up the ladder to cut the net and when they announced his name there was a huge roar from the crowd but nobody climbed up the ladder.

I went back through his Twitter and you are correct. I got my information from somewhere else and it was incorrect - he did not drive up.

[Gimino]

Somebody doubted me when I wrote he wasn't there?

[Alieberman]

Hey Gimino-

Do you have any idea if Ray will be a part of next years team similar to how he has been with the team this year post retirement?

[Gimino]

Don't know. I'm sure Miller can find something for him as a student assistant or such, but -- at first glance -- I doubt if he could be a guy on the bench or travel squad after he is presumably moved onto a medical-retirement scholarship.

[azcat49]

Give him a seat next to Brian Jeffries for a game or two

[CalStateTempe]

I love that idea Azcat49!

That would be sweet.

[CalStateTempe]

Just mentor Ray to the nines in sports broadcast journalism.

[NYCat]

Got his degree, good for him. If Arizona had Smith the Lauri year, they probably beat Xavier even with Allen as the PG and who knows how Arizona matches up with Gonzaga.

What's with the title of this thread? It reads like someone died or got cancer or something.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Good for Ray. It's nice to see Arizona didn't dump him and he profited from his time here.

[U.P. Zona Fan]

Looks like Jeter must wad up 2" of his slacks up at his thigh also, just does it with both sides instead of the one. Either that or he's watching a lot of Seinfeld reruns, even got the Kramer hair going.

[YoDeFoe]

Got his degree, good for him. If Arizona had Smith the Lauri year, they probably beat Xavier even with Allen as the PG and who knows how Arizona matches up with Gonzaga.

We've been searching for our Ray Smith since he went down - an NBA sized swingman who can handle and shoot.

Finally got him one this season in Green and hopefully Armstrong turns out to be the same.

(Also, huge congrats to Ray for finding purpose off the court and following through)

[azcat49]

Big ups to Ray. Maybe he could be a grad asst next year. Would love to have seen him start the last home game this past year. Just suit up and stand on the court. Wasn’t meant to be I guess

[UAEebs86]

Ray was the recruit I was most looking forward to in that class.

Looks like this young man has a great future. Great job Ray!

[PieceOfMeat]

Got his degree, good for him. If Arizona had Smith the Lauri year, they probably beat Xavier even with Allen as the PG and who knows how Arizona matches up with Gonzaga.

What's with the title of this thread? It reads like someone died or got cancer or something.

Looks like an article about him was put up on the official site as he finished up his course work this fall to secure the degree.
https://arizonawildcats.com/news/2019/1 ... -quit.aspx" target="_blank

He's hoping to be a youth probation and parole officer, and I hope he's able to reach and help a lot of young kids out there.

[UAEebs86]

[azcat49]

This is so great! It sounds like maybe Miller helped get him in? Either way this is just great

[AZCatGirl]

So happy he's finally getting his chance to work in the NBA.

[JMarkJohns]

Very excited for his opportunity with NBA.

[IndianaZonaFan]

I’m still upset that the basketball gods robbed us all of watching Ray get to in an Arizona uniform. He would have helped us so much in either one of those seasons.

But I am super excited for him to get this opportunity to shine. He may not be playing, but Ray made it to the NBA.

Make us proud! (You already have)

[TheCat]

Think it is sad we do not hear this from the Arizona administration but from an ex coach who wanted to acknowledge this opportunity. Good luck Ray and thank you Sean.

[EastCoastCat]

If anyone deserves a good break (no pun intended) it is Ray Smith. Glad he has this opportunity and props to always classy Miller for posting.