Smith-Rivera might attend prep school
By Kyle Neddenriep
Posted: June 4, 2010
D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera and his family will visit St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., this weekend, and a decision on his high school future will probably be made within a week.
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D'Vantes Smith-Rivera, here driving to the basket in the Adidas May Classic in Bloomington, is arguably the state's top prospect in the 2012 class. - For The Star
The 6-4 North Central standout, arguably the state's top prospect in the 2012 class, said last month he was exploring the possibility of playing the next two years at St. Benedict's, which is coached by former Indiana assistant Roshown McLeod.
Morristown's Dylan Langkabel, who will also be a junior next season, plans to enroll at St. Benedict's.
Smith-Rivera averaged 17.7 points and 6.1 rebounds as a sophomore and helped the Panthers to the Class 4A state championship. Although Purdue recruit Terone Johnson will be gone to graduation, North Central would likely again be a top contender for the state title with Smith- Rivera.
His mother, Kelana Rivera, said the family is considering the move to allow the oldest of her three sons "to play different top-level kids from around the country."
Kelana Rivera added that "North Central also has a lot to offer," and she hoped to have a decision made quickly out of respect to North Central coach Doug Mitchell and the rest of the team.
"I think we'll know if it's the right situation right away," she said.
Smith-Rivera has scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, Purdue, Tennessee and Xavier. His mother said the transfer to New Jersey, where his family may also move, could bring East Coast teams into the mix.
"I think it will give him some added exposure to schools out there," Rivera said.
Rivera said she talked with Mitchell this week and said "he will be the first to know" if the family decides to move.
"We talked and he made some really good points," she said. "We also have a lot of family here that won't be too happy if we leave."