Ellington

Deville Smith was born in Jackson in 1991 and grew up to become a star basketball player at Callaway High School. He averaged more than 20 points and added four rebounds with four assists per contest during his senior year.

During Smith's junior and senior seasons, he led Callaway to back-to-back 5A championships. He was also selected to play in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game after his senior season.

Smith was considered the 14th best point guard in the country by ESPN and was a four-star recruit. He committed to Mississippi State in November 2010 and joined AAU teammate Rodney Hood with the Bulldogs.

Mississippi State planned on using Smith as a key backup to senior starting point guard Dee Bost. He scored a career game high of 25 points against Arkansas on Jan. 7 in a 98-88 loss.

Smith's previous career high was 18 points in November against Tennessee-Martin in a 76-50 win. His freshman year has been more of story off the court than on.

Late in January this year, Smith left the team to return to Jackson for an unknown illness. This was the second time in his freshman year that Smith has been afflicted.

Smith was hospitalized with headaches and dizziness, but MSU coach Rick Stansbury did not disclose his illness. Stansbury's team is short on players, and Smith's absence has made a short bench even shorter.

Mississippi State lost to LSU 69-67 in overtime in Baton Rouge this Tuesday, but MSU had Smith back on the court after missing six games. Smith only played six minutes and scored just two points, but his return adds major depth for Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs' tournament hopes get much brighter if Smith can get back into game shape and begin to play up to talent late in the season. Bryan Bryant has played well as Bost's backup when Smith was out.

MSU will have four very good guards in the tournament if Smith can stay healthy. The Bulldogs chances of a deep run in March might depend on Smith's health.