Butler G Andrew Smeathers leaving
From Butler Athletics
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. — Junior Andrew Smeathers has announced that he is leaving the Butler men’s basketball program. Smeathers, who’s been with the Bulldogs for two seasons, will complete his fall semester at Butler and then transfer to another school.
“We appreciate everything Andrew has done for the Butler Basketball program over the past two-plus years,” said Butler head coach Brandon Miller. “We wish him all of the best as he moves forward.”
Smeathers played in 43 games in two seasons with the Bulldogs, and he saw brief action in Butler’s two exhibition games last week. He came off the bench with five points in six minutes in Butler’s 101-64 victory over Nova Southeastern, and then he had three points in three minutes in the Bulldogs’ 93-68 win over DePauw.
“This is definitely one of the hardest decisions of my life,” said Smeathers. “I’ve loved Butler ever since I arrived here, everything from the basketball, my coaches, my teammates to the school and the individuals I’ve met. I leave here on good terms with my coaches and teammates.
“I’ve made life-long friends, so it’s hard to say good-bye,” added the Butler guard. “But in the end, it came down to a basketball decision. I’ve got two years of basketball left and I want to see the court as much as possible. As a basketball player, that’s what you want to do.”
Smeathers, who was a member of the 2011 Indiana All-Star Team after his senior season at Center Grove High School, played in 23 games and averaged 1.9 points during his first year with the Bulldogs.
He had a career-high 17 points in a 10-minute stint against Oakland City in that initial season. The 6-6 guard had to deal with several injuries during his two seasons at Butler, including off-season hip surgery following his freshman year.
