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Seattle Times staff reporter Bob Condotta provides a running commentary on the Huskies.

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June 27, 2008 5:10 PM

Joel Smith won't return

The Huskies have solved their scholarship problem for next season. Joel Smith, a senior guard, won't return to the team.

Smith will earn his degree in American Ethnic Studies in three weeks, according to the school.

Smith redshirted two seasons ago, and is eligible to play one more season. He could transfer to a non-Division I school and play another season.

"We are extremely proud of Joel and the effort he put into completing his undergraduate education in four years," Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said in a release from the team.

"He worked diligently, had a great deal of commitment to academics during his four years and I am confident that he will be successful in whatever he decides to do."

Smith averaged 4.4 points in 83 games over three seasons.

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Posted by Gabe

8:18 PM, Jun 27, 2008

WOW, thanks for the info bob. i thought it would be one of the freshman redshirting maybe... but this seemed the most-likely way.... Smith, Dentmon (prolly not as likely), or wolfinger or like i said one of the frosh. He was an okay player at this level and i wish him the best wherever he goes. Looks like the G rotation just opened up a little bit, which makes room or at least helps the concerns with our guard heavy recruits. Now it really wouldn't be so bad to get Gaddy & you know who.....

Posted by justin

8:43 PM, Jun 27, 2008

WOW! This was a cold but necessary move. Joel worked hard and played with serious heart - a true role model for the younger players. It's pretty cold if Lorenzo forced him out, since he had so many qualities we should all want in a Husky. wonder how it all came down. Did Lorenzo try to pull his scholarship (UW gave him 4 years and an education that led to a degree) and Joel said, no way, i'm leaving for another school (he had said he was dead set on playing a 5th year)?

But I guess the difficult truth is that he simply wasn't going to contribute much to the team, especially with all the young guards who need to be developed.

Here's hoping the move doesn't affect chemistry. Overall, I applaud Lorenzo for making a tough call.

Posted by Terry

8:46 PM, Jun 27, 2008

Dan Raley of the PI had this scoop 3 weeks ago.

Posted by Sam

9:17 PM, Jun 27, 2008

I really hope this was a completely voluntary decision by Joel. On a basketball level he probably wasn't going to contribute a whole lot, but as a Husky and as a teammate you couldn't possibly ask for a better guy, and that kinda sucks that he put his heart into the program (emotionally) and isn't gonna play his last year.

Posted by Doug

9:51 PM, Jun 27, 2008

Wow, pure class romar. Bravo. run off a guy who has busted his ass the last 4 years for you for the some new freshmen. I got news for you, karma is a BITCH.

Posted by mattysimone

12:09 PM, Jun 28, 2008

why is everyone so mad...somebody had to go and it was either him or wolf....its a business and im sure he understands. GL dawgs!!!!

Posted by robertroll

1:30 PM, Jun 28, 2008

he got his degree which was totally paid for by the u-dub, and believe me if he would of been contributing we would still have him, welcome to the world of big time college sports this is not a rec league, who do you think they should of squeezed out of the program...

Posted by Jynne

8:49 AM, Jul 01, 2008

Joel isn't a very good player, he showed glimpse of greatness id freshman year then it all died off So I'm not surprised his scholarship was pulled. He graduated from UW debt free and basketball will likely take him nowhere. But, he does have a degree which is the point of going to college.