Dorian Finney-Smith: College Basketball Star
Dorian Finney-Smith is an up-and-coming NBA star whose career is on the rise. He has made a name for himself on the court as a reliable shooter, rebounder, and defender. But before he became a professional, he was a college basketball star at the University of Florida. In this article, we’ll take a look at Finney-Smith’s college basketball career and how it prepared him for the big leagues.
Early Life and High School Career
Dorian Finney-Smith was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on May 10, 1992. He first started playing basketball as a young child, and was soon recognized as a talented player. He attended Norcom High School in Portsmouth, where he was a standout player. During his senior season, he averaged 24.4 points and 13.0 rebounds per game and was named a first-team All-State selection.
Recruitment and College Choice
Finney-Smith was heavily recruited coming out of high school, receiving offers from a number of top schools including Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech. Ultimately, he chose to attend the University of Florida, where he would play for head coach Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators.
College Career
Finney-Smith’s college career began in 2011, when he was a freshman at the University of Florida. During his freshman season, he was named to the All-SEC Freshman team and averaged 3.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game.
As a sophomore, Finney-Smith’s role on the team grew, and he was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team. He averaged 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game. He also shot an impressive 44.2% from three-point range.
In his junior season, Finney-Smith was named the SEC Player of the Year and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 14.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 33.1 minutes per game and was named to the All-SEC first team.
Finney-Smith’s senior season was his most impressive. He averaged 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in 33.4 minutes per game and was named to the All-SEC first team for the second consecutive year. He also led the Gators to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual national champion Villanova.
Pros and Cons of Finney-Smith’s College Career
There is no doubt that Dorian Finney-Smith had a successful college basketball career. However, there are a few areas where he could have improved.
Pros
- Leadership – Finney-Smith was a leader on the court, and his teammates often looked to him for guidance.
- Rebounding – Finney-Smith was an excellent rebounder, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game in his career.
- Defense – Finney-Smith was an elite defensive player, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in his junior season.
- Shooting – Finney-Smith was a reliable shooter, shooting 44.2% from three-point range during his junior season.
Cons
- Turnovers – Finney-Smith was prone to turnovers, averaging 1.8 turnovers per game in his career.
- Free Throws – Finney-Smith was not a great free throw shooter, shooting just 66.7% from the charity stripe.
Finney-Smith’s Impact on College Basketball
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Finney-Smith had a major impact on the Florida Gators. During his four years in Gainesville, the Gators had a record of 99-45 and made four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. He also helped lead the Gators to the Elite Eight in 2015, their first Elite Eight appearance since 2007.
Finney-Smith’s Professional Career
After a successful college career, Finney-Smith was selected with the 49th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. He was then traded to the Dallas Mavericks, where he has spent the majority of his NBA career.
In the NBA, Finney-Smith has developed into a reliable role player. He is known for his defensive prowess, shooting ability, and rebounding, much like he was in college. He is currently averaging 6.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game for the Mavericks.
Where Does Finney-Smith Rank Among Florida Greats?
Finney-Smith’s college basketball career was one of the most successful in Florida history. He ranks fourth in school history in games played (140), sixth in rebounds (927), and ninth in points (1,494). He is also one of only three Gators to be named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
Conclusion
Dorian Finney-Smith had a remarkable college basketball career at the University of Florida. He was an all-around player who was able to impact the game in a variety of ways. He was a leader on the court, a reliable shooter, an elite rebounder, and an outstanding defender. His college career prepared him well for the NBA, where he has developed into a reliable role player. Finney-Smith will go down as one of the greats in Florida history.