ENGLAND (SolentKestrels.co.uk) – With planning for the 2021-22 season now well under way it is now time for the Team Solent Kestrels Family to say goodbye and good luck to one of the most decorated players in club history, Ian Smith. TSK’s general over the past two seasons has been influential in making history picking up a number of accolades along the way.
Ian signed with TSK fresh out of college, after 4 winning seasons with the Northern State Wolves at the NCAA DII level, and would go on to lead TSK to the NBL D1 regular season title, NBL Cup title and runners up in the BBL Trophy Final, before the 2019/20 season was cut short due to COVID-19. He would also collect NBL Team of the year honours before being named the NBL D1 League MVP.
The 5’10” Point Guard returned to Southampton for the 2020/21 NBL Season with somewhat unfinished business, after an undefeated NBL regular season the year before, he would look to lead his side into the playoffs to go one better. He would do just that as Kestrels made it a clean sweep of NBL silverware, clinching the NBL League title, the inaugural L Lynch Trophy and the NBL D1 Playoff title. Ian would also be named in the NBL D1 Team of the Year for a second successive season, whilst picking up the Playoff Final MVP award, pouring in 37 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in what would be his final game for the club.
Kestrels Head Coach Matt Guymon gave us his thoughts on Ian’s impact over the last two seasons; “Ian has made an unbelievable impact in his 2 years with us. Not only has he been instrumental in our on court success he has also been a remarkable ambassador for the club and a role model to all our junior players. He will be truly missed here in Southampton and we look forward to following his next steps.”
Ian posted impressive averages of 18.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 6.4 apg and 1.7 spg in his first season with the club all whilst shooting 40% from the 3pt line, followed up with 16.6 ppg, 6.7 apg, 6 rpg, 1.8 spg in this past seasons campaign.
TSK General Manager James Matthews had this to say on Ian’s departure; “Ian has been incredible during his time at the club. Matt and I knew he was special when we recruited him but I don’t think we realised quite how special he was going to be over the course of the two season with us. He’s been one of the best players we have had at the programme and he’s also one of the nicest people I have ever met.”
Ian will now move home to the United States to step away from the game and be with his family whilst he pursues a career in coaching at the collegiate level. Everyone here at the Kestrels Family would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian for not only his incredible on court performances, but inspiring a younger generation through our club pathway and leading from the front as a consummate professional. We wish him every success in his future endeavours and he will always be part of the Kestrels Family here in Southampton.
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