Pearson Smith Class: Graduated Hometown: Norwalk, CA High School: St. Anthony HS Last College: Long Beach City College Height / Weight: 6-2 / 205 Position: Guard

JUNIOR (2006-07): Played in 12 games, averaging 1.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.5 steals ... missed a large portion of the season with shin problems ... scored his season-high eight points against New Mexico on Dec. 3, making 4-of-8 shot attempts ... also established season bests with seven rebounds, two steals and 22 minutes versus the Lobos ... pulled down five boards on two occasions (versus UC Davis on Nov. 16 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 13) ... scored six points (2-for-4 FGs, 2-for-4 FTs) against UC Davis ... was on the floor for at least 19 minutes five times in the first nine games of the season ... named to the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and received a C-USA Academic Medal.

PRIOR TO UTEP: Joined the UTEP program after playing for two seasons at Long Beach City College ... earned first team All-State and first team All-Conference honors following the 2005-06 season ... also chosen conference MVP after averaging 17 points, seven rebounds and 2.5 assists per game ... shot 50 percent from the floor, 40 percent from beyond the arc and 72 percent from the charity stripe in '05-'06 ... selected the California Community Colleges Commission on Athletics (COA)/U.S. Bank Athlete of the Month for February, 2006 ... as a freshman at Long Beach City College (2000-01), averaged nine points and four boards, gaining honorable mention All-Conference ... junior college coach was Gary Anderson ... earned a spot on the Dean's List for two semesters in junior college ... following his freshman year at Long Beach City College, spent three years in the U.S. Army, including time in Iraq ... tabbed first team All-League and All-CIF as a senior at St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, Calif. ... other senior honors included team MVP, CIF Player of the Year and Century Club Long Beach Athlete of the Year ... senior averages were 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists with a .550 field goal percentage, .400 three-point percentage and .680 free throw percentage ... chosen team MVP and first team All-League as a junior after averaging 15 points, eight boards and two dimes ... high school coach was Joe Luyben ... also played football and baseball in high school ... honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society as a prep.

PERSONAL: He is left-handed ... full name is Pearson James Smith ... parents are Hal and Mary Smith ... father played football at Northwestern ... has one brother and two sisters ... born 11/9/81 (Long Beach, Calif.).