https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2021/5/4/sports-extra-se-k-state-mens-hoops-gains-experience-with-impact-transfers.aspx
It's springtime in Manhattan and Bruce Weber has been working the phones, focused on the NCAA transfer portal that's been chipping away at the idea of a college basketball "offseason" since it was introduced in 2018.
"You want to stay in the game, you got to be flexible, you got to change," Weber said. "I think we've done a good job of finding some older guys that will help us. We've lost some, we gained some. Hopefully, it's a positive on our end."
"That's been a big thing that everybody has talked about. How can you stay old?" Weber said. "Well, now you can stay old by getting in the portal."
Mark Smith was recruited twice by Weber, committing to Illinois before he transferred to Missouri as a sophomore.
"We know Mark," Weber said. "This third time we just basically said, 'Hey, we recruited you. Either you want to come here or not, and you know what we're about.' We have a relationship."
The decision to bring Smith to Manhattan was an easier one for Weber after a conversation with Martin, his coach at Missouri, about what the senior could bring to the 'Cats.
"When Mark Smith popped up, I said (to Martin), 'We recruited him twice, what do you think?' He said he loved him as a young man," Weber said. "He had just had lunch with him. That's kind of when they said goodbye, but he was very positive (about Smith)."
Edited by FIJItiger at 11:13:32 on 05/04/21