After Penny Interview, Nolan Smith Decides To Stick With Duke

We learned Friday that Nolan Smith had interviewed at Memphis to be a Penny Hardaway assistant before deciding to stick with Duke.

We can’t blame Hardaway for trying to hire him; he’s exceptional. He’s always shown potential and charisma and both can help a coach.

Smith has a lot of charisma. He showed it on the court with his infectious personality and also at one open practice/scrimmage (possibly Countdown to Craziness) where he took the mic while teammates continued and bellowed, hilariously, “are you not entertained?”

Russell Crowe would have been jealous.

Anyone who watched Smith play understands that he has a deep knowledge of the game.

It’s also clear that a guy that warm and appealing, and really disarming, is going to be a great, great recruiter.

You’d have to be nuts not to try to hire him.

That said, we’re glad that he decided to stick with Duke.