Oklahoma State University Athletics
Draft Day: Marcus Smart Looks Back On Surreal Year
June 25, 2015 | Cowboy Basketball
Smar: It Was An Amazing Night For Me And My Family
STILLWATER - It's amazing what can happen in one year's time - just ask Marcus Smart. One year ago he was making the transition from Oklahoma State star to NBA Draft hopeful, a journey that has since seen him elevate to a starting role for the resurgent Boston Celtics.
With his rookie season in the rear view mirror, the NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection reflected on how his life has changed since walking across the stage at the NBA Draft, and how his time at OSU helped him get there.
OKState.com: Tell us what your emotions were like on draft night last year.
"It was an amazing night for me and my family just because this is what me and my brothers, and everyone in my family, always dreamed of. To play professionally, to what we love for a living, is such a blessing. To be the youngest in my family, and for me to be the one that made it makes it that much more special for me. It was just a huge night for me and my family. I wanted to cry, to be honest with you. My emotions were going all over the place."
OKState.com: It's been a full year since you walked across that stage. Does it feel real yet?
"Looking back now, it's kind of a surreal feeling. It seems like just yesterday I was playing in college. I look at these guys now playing at OSU, and I think, 'dang, I was just there!'"
OKState.com: What are some of the differences between the college and NBA experiences?
"One of the biggest differences is the travel. You travel almost every other day, so there's no time to relax. You don't practice as much in the NBA, so you have to be able to jump from game to game and be at your best without going and getting practice reps up. You don't get enough sleep because of the constant travel from time zone to time zone. You get in to the hotel at two and three in the morning and get up the next day and do it all over again. It can be hard to get your sleep patterns down. All of that stuff can mess some guys up."
OKState.com: You're known for your work ethic and high motor. What motivates you?
"That's just me inside and out. I just feel like the harder I work every day the easier it is to look at yourself in the mirror at the end of that day. I want to feel like I took advantage of every opportunity that was given to me."
OKState.com: It must have been nice having so much success in your first year in the league?
"It's a wild feeling. Not a lot of people expected us to step up this year and make the playoffs, and it was great exceeding the expectations. It just shows the type of heart that this organization has from top to bottom. The individual stuff was great and all, but I'm more of a team guy."
OKState.com: Do you think playing at OSU and in the Big 12 prepared you for the NBA?
"The talent, physicality and athleticism of OSU and the Big 12 definitely helped prepare me for the NBA. The Big 12 is a powerhouse league, and there's a lot guys that are superior athletes. You have to be strong to play in the Big 12. You take a beating every night. There's just something about playing in the Big 12."
OKState.com: What are some of your favorite memories of Gallagher-Iba Arena?
"My favorite moments at Gallagher-Iba probably start with the Memphis game when I was a freshman and I had my career high scoring night. It was a good feeling to have everything going perfectly in that game. It was unreal when we beat Kansas at home, and all the fans rushed the floor. Also, coming back for my sophomore year and experiencing the Homecoming and Hoops event, and having so many fans there supporting us. That place definitely holds a special place in my heart."
OkState.com: What kind of role has coach Ford had in your development, and do you guys stay in touch?
"I will always have a great relationship with Travis Ford. He's one of the folks that helped me overcome the doubters that questioned my shooting ability and what position I would be able to play at the next level. Coach Ford came to me with a plan that would let me play my game. He put the ball in my hands and let me create. I think that's really what helped me the most. Coach Ford is a great coach and a great man. He's well respected, and it's great to know that I always have him in my corner."
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With his rookie season in the rear view mirror, the NBA All-Rookie Second Team selection reflected on how his life has changed since walking across the stage at the NBA Draft, and how his time at OSU helped him get there.
OKState.com: Tell us what your emotions were like on draft night last year.
"It was an amazing night for me and my family just because this is what me and my brothers, and everyone in my family, always dreamed of. To play professionally, to what we love for a living, is such a blessing. To be the youngest in my family, and for me to be the one that made it makes it that much more special for me. It was just a huge night for me and my family. I wanted to cry, to be honest with you. My emotions were going all over the place."
OKState.com: It's been a full year since you walked across that stage. Does it feel real yet?
"Looking back now, it's kind of a surreal feeling. It seems like just yesterday I was playing in college. I look at these guys now playing at OSU, and I think, 'dang, I was just there!'"
OKState.com: What are some of the differences between the college and NBA experiences?
"One of the biggest differences is the travel. You travel almost every other day, so there's no time to relax. You don't practice as much in the NBA, so you have to be able to jump from game to game and be at your best without going and getting practice reps up. You don't get enough sleep because of the constant travel from time zone to time zone. You get in to the hotel at two and three in the morning and get up the next day and do it all over again. It can be hard to get your sleep patterns down. All of that stuff can mess some guys up."
OKState.com: You're known for your work ethic and high motor. What motivates you?
"That's just me inside and out. I just feel like the harder I work every day the easier it is to look at yourself in the mirror at the end of that day. I want to feel like I took advantage of every opportunity that was given to me."
OKState.com: It must have been nice having so much success in your first year in the league?
"It's a wild feeling. Not a lot of people expected us to step up this year and make the playoffs, and it was great exceeding the expectations. It just shows the type of heart that this organization has from top to bottom. The individual stuff was great and all, but I'm more of a team guy."
OKState.com: Do you think playing at OSU and in the Big 12 prepared you for the NBA?
"The talent, physicality and athleticism of OSU and the Big 12 definitely helped prepare me for the NBA. The Big 12 is a powerhouse league, and there's a lot guys that are superior athletes. You have to be strong to play in the Big 12. You take a beating every night. There's just something about playing in the Big 12."
OKState.com: What are some of your favorite memories of Gallagher-Iba Arena?
"My favorite moments at Gallagher-Iba probably start with the Memphis game when I was a freshman and I had my career high scoring night. It was a good feeling to have everything going perfectly in that game. It was unreal when we beat Kansas at home, and all the fans rushed the floor. Also, coming back for my sophomore year and experiencing the Homecoming and Hoops event, and having so many fans there supporting us. That place definitely holds a special place in my heart."
OkState.com: What kind of role has coach Ford had in your development, and do you guys stay in touch?
"I will always have a great relationship with Travis Ford. He's one of the folks that helped me overcome the doubters that questioned my shooting ability and what position I would be able to play at the next level. Coach Ford came to me with a plan that would let me play my game. He put the ball in my hands and let me create. I think that's really what helped me the most. Coach Ford is a great coach and a great man. He's well respected, and it's great to know that I always have him in my corner."
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