Coach Graham on Bryan Smithson
Bryan grew up a Smyrna Star and has been with me since the sixth grade. He was there long before the shoe contract and assisted with pounding the streets for donations. He washed cars and sold candy. He played against the best and held his own. Bryan led us to a National Championship in 1999 over LeBron James and company.
‘B’ was my favorite STAR, who was loyal despite the pressure from other clubs in Georgia to leave us. One of my most memorable times with ‘B’ was when he was playing as the smallest and only white player on the floor. I told him during a timeout that he was going to have to earn his respect. Bryan broke away for dunks and drop some three pointers and the entire gym chanted “White Mike!”
Coach Graham on Morris Almond
The fact that Morris was a first round NBA Draft Choice this year is a tribute to his parents, Willie and Patricia Almond.
Morris Almond started playing big time basketball with the Smyrna Stars and played with us for two years. He was a major part of our first group that began to make a name for itself on the travel elite circuit. He and I used to spend days scanning the Internet looking at who’s who in elite basketball and wanting a piece of the players and teams.
During the 2000 and 2001 seasons, Morris was an integral part that fought the country best and formed our spirit and attitude that the Smyrna Stars have today. “We are willing to take on any team and any player!”
Morris is a very intelligent kid, who was easy to coach and thirsted for more knowledge on how to improved his game.
Morris is definitely a role model for all kids, parents and me. Morris chose Rice University over other major athletic colleges for academic reasons. This started slow during his first season at Rice, he hung in there. And now he has realized a special dream: Morris graduated from Rice University and is playing in the NBA for the Utah Jazz.
Class of 2003 Stars 4 Life
Jermareo Davidson played at Alabama
Now with Charlotte Bobcats (NBA)
Danilo Pinnock played at George Washington
Bryan Smithson #10 at UNC-Asheville
Morris Almond played at Rice University
