Jamar Smith pens with Unics Kazan

Jamar Smith (191 cm, S. Indiana ’10) agreed to terms with Unics Kazan (Russia-VTB). Smith is a newcomer to the Russian league even though he has been playing all over the world since 2010 when he first went pro. He’s made quite the rise in the basketball world including time in the top leagues in France, Germany, and most recently Spain in recent years. The American guard was with Unicaja Malaga (Spain-Liga Endesa) last season which is one of the better teams in Spain. The team won the Eurocup with the help of Smith. The 30-year-old guard averaged 10.3 ppg and 2.2 apg to help his former team excel on the big stage. He only found 20.3 mpg of time but he is known for making the most of his opportunities.

Now Smith heads to another high-quality organization in the Unics. Last season was a bit of a disappointment for the team as they finished fifth in the standings with a 15-9 record. This was a fall from the previous season where they were the runner ups in the VTB. Smith should play a key role in the scoring department for Unics. With his help, the team could see a move closer to the top next season.