How Central Michigan landed star freshman center Jahari Smith


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Freshman center Jahari Smith enters into the arena on Nov. 12 at McGuirk Arena.

Sue Guevara sat quietly watching prospects participate in an AAU tournament at a gym in Ypsilanti during the spring of 2016.

Along with the Central Michigan coach were her two assistants Heather Oesterle and Murriel Page, all three at different courts. 

“Coach, I think you need to come down here,” Oesterle told Guevara over a text message.

Guevara walked a few courts down and observed yet another AAU contest, just as she had all spring.

“Alright, what are we looking at,” Guevara said to her assistant.

Oesterle pointed out Bolingbrook High School center Jahari Smith, who was in her junior year at the time, but now a member of the Central Michigan women’s basketball team. 

Now, she’s a starter as a freshman and working to fill the shoes of 2018 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Tinara Moore.

Freshman center Jahari Smith keeps the ball from going out of bounds on Nov. 1 at McGuirk Arena.

Oesterle, in her eighth season as an assistant to Guevara, had already built an exquisite relationship with Chris Smith, the head coach at Bolingbrook High School in Illinois, and saw the future Chippewa play during an open gym session.

“I called him because we were looking for post players in that class,” Oesterle said of her conversion with Bolingbrook’s coach. “He wanted her to be at a program that wins, and she wants to win.”

When Guevara first saw Smith play at the AAU tournament in 2016, the 6-foot-2 center wasn’t necessarily a standout, but she had potential. Guevara decided to keep an eye on Smith and further her recruitment to CMU.

Guevara and Oesterle took a different recruiting approach to recruit. Some players look in the stands during each game to see which college coaches are at the game. Prior to securing Smith’s commitment, Guevara spent her fair share using the babysitter method of recruiting and still failed to get specific prospects.

“Some schools watch every single game all summer,” Guevara explained. “We weren’t at every game like others for Jahari. I think it’s the relationship with the kid, parents and coaches."

Instead of going to every game, they pitched the culture of graduation and winning.

Following an in-home visit, Smith went to CMU for her official visit in the fall of 2017 with her mother. The center was given an opportunity to meet the players, explore campus and discuss her future.

“Let’s look at Central Michigan and how we’ve done against a lot of other schools, and we have rings,” Guevara said to Smith. 

While some programs offered Smith early playing time, Guevara was honest with her. 

“I will never promise playing time,” Guevara said. “But look at our history; we’ve had (MAC) Freshman of the Year winners. Freshmen have to play. That was my whole point.”

Four programs hosted Smith for an official visit, and CMU was the last to do so. She went home to talk with her high school coach and parents about her pending decision. Then, on Nov. 1, 2017, Smith committed to Central Michigan.

“Why did you make that decision?” Guevara asked.  

“Well coach, I know you win,” Smith responded.

“You’re right,” CMU’s 12th-year coach said. “And you’re going to help us continue to win.”

Smith committed to play for the Chippewas just a few months before the group won the 2018 MAC Tournament title and made an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run. Now, it’s Smith’s job to help continue the nationwide success. 

“It was a dogfight,” Guevara said. “There were some schools that were not very happy (with her decision), and we get to play against those schools, so it’s alright.”

As Smith slowly molded into the philosophy and high motor offense, she began playing like a veteran at the college level. 

Guevara constantly praises Smith’s ability to run the floor, work underneath the basket on offense and pull-down rebounds. The next step is to develop and mid-range and outside game — especially from the 3-point line.

Smith is not a pure 3-point shooter, and she probably won’t be for some time. Down the road, Guevara wants all members of the starting five to shoot the triple with high efficiency.

“Everyone can shoot the three here, and then there’s me,” Smith said laughing.

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