Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Colby Smith, New Trier basketball

Colby Smith is a senior guard and three-year varsity starter for the Trevians. He will play college basketball for Washington University starting next season.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

I used to have many superstitions — the way I opened the car door, which sock I put on first, the right shoe before the left. It just got to the point that I was too focused on superstitions and wasn’t focused on the game.. Now, I just focus on the game.

2. Why is Washington University a good fit?

It’s not only a good fit, I think it’s a perfect fit. While on a search for a school for me, I wanted a school with high-level academics as well as basketball. Wash U checked those boxes and was on my radar right away. Their coach reached out to me and we started building a relationship my sophomore and junior years. He’s a good dude and I enjoyed getting to know him. I started to like it more and then went on campus. There are really no drawbacks. … The players welcomed me and the coaching staff are all very nice. Everything was nice and I love St. Louis.

3. What is your dream job?

I really like talking to people, communicating, building relationships. I like sports and numbers, so a combination of all of those things in one job would be nice. I’m not sure what that would be right now.

4. If you could try another sport, what would it be?  

I think I would want to play football. I never actually played football, but the athleticism I have from basketball — cutting, sprinting, jumping — translates nicely to the football field. They are explosive, exciting games. I think football would be awesome. 

5. Who is your favorite athlete?

When I was little, I initially just chose Kobe Bryant because we had like the same name. I didn’t know how good he was at that time, but I started watching him and learning about that mamba mentality. It’s pretty inspiring and helps you become the best version of yourself. 

6. What is your top sports highlight so far?

It wasn’t necessarily me, but setting that screen for Christopher (Kirkpatrick’s sectional-winning shot last season) for that buzzer-beater. Being on the floor for that, that was spectacular. That’s once in a lifetime for sure. 

7. What is your favorite thing to do off the court?

Whenever I have a little break or days off, when the weather is nice, there is nothing I like to do more than getting on the golf course. Just grabbing three buddies or my dad and brother (Henry) and getting out there. I think it’s the best way to spend four hours with someone.

8. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I find myself trying to get something different every time. I don’t like to get the same thing. I try to usually get a variation of a drink, chip and candy, like Doritos, Twix and Gatorade, or Cheez-Its and Gushers.

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I got a lot of New Trier athletes in my family. My older brother, Henry (baseball), my mother (Sonja; tennis and softball) and father (Curtis; hockey, football, wrestling, lacrosse), and my grandfather (tennis) was a student-athlete at New Trier.

10. What can this team accomplish this year?

This team is definitely different than last year, but I think we can accomplish the same thing and even more. I think this team can win a state championship. I’ve seen what it takes. It’s all about putting those things into action this year. The main bullet point for us is how can the sum of all of us be greater than the parts. When we cooperate, move the ball … we are better. That’s our main focus here. A state championship is what we have in mind.

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