Longwood’s Smith aims for 6 years

Longwood basketball player Dana Smith has suffered three season-ending knee injuries, two of them in college.

That makes him a fifth-year junior. That's right. The NCAA has granted him two medical hardship waivers at Longwood, and next year he'll be a rare sixth-year senior.

His bad luck started during his senior year of high school, when the 6-5, 225-pound guard/forward tore the ACL in his right knee. As a junior at Longwood, Smith injured two menisci in the same knee, putting an end to his season after just three games. In 2007-2008, his second season as a junior, he tore the ACL in his left knee during the Lancers' 10th game of the season. Finished again.

But nothing was going to stop him from getting back on the court.

"When I look at the team, we have so much potential, so much talent," Smith said. "It's something I thought I couldn't give up on. I just love it too much."

At 16-13 overall, a gaudy 13-2 at home, the Lancers are having their best season as a Division I program. They went 1-30 in the 2004-2005 season, the first time they competed against a full DI schedule.

Coach Mike Gillian credits Smith in playing a part in their rise to legitimacy.

"He was one of the initial guys that we were counting on to help us through the transition and through the reclassification," Gillian said. "As it's turned out, he has been not only that, but he has been one of the main guys that's helped us be successful."

In 29 games this year, Smith is averaging 15 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He recorded career highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds. He's shooting 52 percent from the floor, 65 percent from the line.

Last May, he earned his bachelor's degree in sociology and is working on a second undergraduate degree in business marketing. After college, he said he'd like to try playing overseas. He also dreams of playing in the NBA.

"If it doesn't happen, it doesn't," Smith said. "I'm all ready for the job market."

With two games left this season, Smith is closing in on something else that's been important to him -- finishing the season.

"It just feels good to be here, to be able to play," he said.

Gillian has watched Smith work his way back from each injury.

"He's not taking time off, he's not said, 'Hey, I've got to sit out here, sit out there.' He doesn't wear a brace. He doesn't do any of that stuff." Gillian said. "There's no one saying we have to treat him differently.

"I'm very proud of what he's done, but not surprised, no."

Junior guard Kevin Swecker says Smith is "a great teammate on and off the court. . . . He's an inspiration. He gets along with everybody, he comes to work every day and sets an example that people try to follow."

When it comes down to it, the team is what matters most to Smith and what he's worked so hard to get back to. It wasn't about personal goals. It was about being able to play with the Lancers, who he considers his family.

"This year, we've already surpassed our best games in the past three or four years that I've been here," Smith said. "We've got to keep on going one game at a time. Try to get to that 20-mark, try to get over that 20-mark. Try to make some noise out there, get our name out."

And if he could give advice to others, it would be never to give up. Smith says hard work will take you far and "dedication will take you even farther. Listen to the coaches. And enjoy the experience.

"Everybody loves college. Everybody wants to stay in college. And I get to stay in college even longer, you know. Staying in college, playing ball, having friends, family, it's the greatest. Can't trade it for anything."

Contact Nicole Koussa at .