Dru Smith Sticks With the Heat

        Dru Smith is a young guard who spend two years playing basketball at the University of Evansville then another two at the University of Missouri. Smith declared for the 2021 NBA draft but would not hear his name be called that night. After going undrafted he signed an Exhibit 10 with the Miami Heat and would later get waived. That meant he would go to Sioux Falls and play for the Skyforce, the G-League affiliated team of the Miami Heat. For the 2021-22 G-League regular season Dru appears in 10 games out of the total 35 and averaged 8 points on 40% shooting from the field and 30% from 3, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. 

        For the NBA 2022-23 season Dru Smith was in and out of the Miami Heat roster. During the season the Heat dealt with injuries in both front and back court and those injuries had an influence on Dru Smith's status with his two-way contract. After being waived by the Heat he did end up signing a two-way with the Brooklyn Nets and joined their G-League affiliated team, the Long Island Nets. With the Nets he played in the starting backcourt and had his first taste of professional postseason basketball. During the Nets postseason run, Dru averaged 17 points shooting 56% from the field and 33% from 3, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. The Nets playoff run was cut short in the second round against the Delaware Blue Coats. 

        This summer Dru would sign another two-way with the Miami Heat and played for them in the summer league in both Sacramento and Las Vegas. He also played in 4 of the 5 preseason games for the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat were looking thin at the PG position heading into this season and they see something in Dru so recently it was announced the Miami Heat signed Dru Smith to a 2-year, $3.9 Million deal. The deal is partially-guaranteed and the first year of his deal is fully-guaranteed on January 10th. Dru Smith will get his chance to prove himself throughout this upcoming season and the Heat will make sure his game continues to improve.