Mitchell Smith Reflects on his Role as a Graduate Assistant for the Santa Clara Men’s Basketball Team
By: Dylan Tehada
Unlimited Potential Basketball Player Development Coach, Mitchell Smith, is returning to Santa Clara University for his second stint as the Men’s basketball team’s graduate assistant. As a graduate assistant, Smith helps the team both on court and the coaching staff in the office as well. As he strives to become a basketball coach one day, Smith is embracing the role of helping an up and coming Santa Clara Broncos team in whatever way he can.
The day to day of a graduate assistant is a demanding and important task for any collegiate basketball team. Smith is responsible for assisting the coaching staff with scouts of opponents and recruiting in the offseason in addition to helping the players out on court as well. During the season, his tasks revolve mostly around preparing the team for upcoming matches whether that be preparing scouting reports with the coaching staff or training the players on court. Now that Smith and the Broncos are in the offseason, his tasks revolve primarily around helping the team find new recruits and bolster their roster for the upcoming season.
“Whether it's early in the morning or late in the afternoon, I am either in the offices or working out players on the court, helping them with skill and individual workouts,” Smith said.
As a graduate assistant, Smith has had a great opportunity to practice the coaching skills that he strives to hone as he strives to become a coach in the future. His role as a player development coach at UPB has equipped him with invaluable skills that have not only made him an indispensable contributor to the athletes he trains, but also fuels his desire to continue coaching in the future. Even though Smith is coaching basketball athletes at the highest collegiate level, he still finds value in honing the fundamental skills of the game that he has learned to teach as player development coach at UPB.
“The foundations of basketball need to be taught at every level. Whether I am teaching young [athletes] or collegiate division one level players, it all builds upon itself,” Smith said. “So, I've definitely used a lot of what I've learned [at UPB] here at Santa Clara when I'm on the court, working out our players.”
Last week, Smith had the opportunity to work with incoming NBA players in the 2024 draft class by assisting with WME’s pre draft process in Santa Barbara. During his time in Santa Barbara, Smith worked with Coach Packie Turner to coordinate five workouts each day, helping incoming NBA athletes prepare for the pre draft process. Smith embraced every second of being on court with future NBA talent and witnessing the dedication and hard work these young stars put into the game reinvigorated his end goal of becoming a coach one day.
“If I told myself, even two years ago, that I was going to be involved in a NBA pre draft workout, I wouldn't have believed it. So that energized me to be out there and be present with [the WME athletes] and enjoy every moment. Because it's an incredible opportunity. And I was super excited to be out there,” Smith said.
Smith’s journey to reach his goal of coaching is just beginning. Whether it be coaching NBA Draft prospects, D1 collegiate hoopers, or the next generation of young athletes Smith is dedicated to sharing his love and passion for basketball to everyone he encounters. We are excited to see where Smith’s journey takes him and wish him luck in this upcoming season!
