Former Belleville West star, Gonzaga guard declares for NBA draft

Belleville West graduate and Gonzaga guard Malachi Smith announced Wednesday he is entering his name in the NBA draft.

Smith averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 rebounds in 37 games for the Bulldogs this season. He didn’t say if he would retain his college eligibility.

“Every moment this season has been a blessing and I am grateful for the memories I have made that I will never forget,” Smith wrote in his announcement on Twitter. “... I am grateful for the journey because it has prepared me for this moment. With that said I will be declaring for the 2023 NBA DRAFT.”

The 2022-23 season was Smith’s first season at Gonzaga. He began his career by playing one year at Wright State before playing two seasons at Chattanooga. He was the Southern Conference Player of Year in his second season at Chattanooga when he averaged 19.9 points and 6.7 rebounds in 35 games (34 starts).

Smith paired with EJ Liddell to help lead Belleville West to the first of two consecutive IHSA 4A State Championships in 2018. Liddell currently is under contract with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.

Smith played three years at Belleville East before graduating from Belleville West.