All along, Dayshon Smith said he was looking for the best fit, not the school with the biggest name or belonging to the best conference. When his recruitment exploded this summer and he drew interest from high-major programs such as Illinois and Providence, the general consensus was Smith would be swayed by the prestige of such programs.
He was true to his word.
On Friday, the talented 6-foot-2 point guard from The Bronx picked Dayton over Providence, Illinois, St. Bonaventure and a host of others mid-major schools.
"It was the best fit," said Smith, ranked among the top players in the country by Rivals.com. "I felt like it was the best situation. I had a better feel on campus than my Providence and Duquesne visits. I just felt happy, felt comfortable, the coaching staff was awesome."
He chose head coach Archie Miller's program for the reason he said he would pick a school. He felt comfortable during his official visit, the coaching staff led by Miller and assistant coach Allen Griffin developed a bond with Smith's family and he was drawn by the facilities and on-campus support the program is afforded.
"When I was there, the fans knew who I was, they treated me well, they were happy to see me, trying to convince me to come to Dayton," he said. "I was told they threw a party after my commitment. I wish I could be there."
Smith joins talented 6-foot lead guard Kyle Davis of Illinois in Miller's recruiting class, a pair of point guards some have compared with former Xavier duo Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons because of their versatile skill sets. Smith, in fact, said Dayton began recruiting him harder after it landed Davis.
"I think we compliment each other well," Smith said. "I think we'll be a better backcourt [than Holloway and Lyons]. I have a lot of confidence."
He has confidence in Miller as well. Smith said he thinks Dayton is on the rise, pointing to the Flyers' 20-13 record last year, and he also feels particularly tight with Griffin, a Brooklyn product who starred at Robeson High School and had a solid career at Syracuse.
"He's gone through my shoes," he said. "He played in the Big East. He knows what it takes to get to the next level."
Smith is a success story already, a virtual unknown after his junior year at since-closed Rice of Harlem. He reclassified and transferred to Putnam Science Academy, a prep school in Connecticut. Smith enjoyed a strong season there, transitioning to a point guard while averaging 17 points and six assists per game, and an even bigger summer with the New York Lighting. On a team which included Memphis commit Kuran Iverson and Christ the King star Jon Severe, he was widely considered its best player.
"He's the epitome of a nothing-to-something story and he wants to get better," one Division I coach familiar with Smith said. "What he can become is scary. He's not your stereotypical New York City kid. He can play, has good grades and is respectful."
The coach said jokingly that Smith used to recruit school to look at him, but by the end of the summer there wasn't a mid-major program who didn't; want him. Another coach who recruited Smith said "he can score against anyone in the country."
Smith will have his opportunity starting next winter.
"I'm just happy to have this opportunity," he said.
zbraziller@nypost.com
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