New Hampstead's DeAndre Smart plays on in memory of late father, brother and grandfather

New Hampstead's DeAndre Smart has a quiet confidence on the basketball court, where the 6-foot-6 senior, who turned 17 in October, plays within himself with a dominating game on both ends of the court.

That maturity extends away from the game, as Smart has dealt with personal tragedy with a strength and fortitude that belies his age.

Smart was hoping to celebrate his 15th birthday during his sophomore year when his world was turned upside down. His father, Erik Smart, died, at the age of 35, along with his younger brother Derrick, 7, when they drowned in a fishing accident in Jacksonville.

It was a life-changing moment that would crush men twice his age, but Smart maintained his composure and kept his goals in sight. He lived with his grandparents in Savannah. His grandfather, Richard Wilson, was his biggest fan -- attending every game with his wife Tina and pushing his grandson to excel on the court and in the classroom.

Wilson fought a spirited battle against cancer, attending games in a wheelchair when his health deteriorated, as he never lost his passion to support his grandson playing the game he loved.

Wilson died at the age of 60 in April, and after a period of grieving -- Smart doubled down with his focus on basketball and school, just as his grandfather would want.

"When my dad and brother died it was a shocker and it definitely hurt," Smart said. "At first I felt like it was my fault, because my dad was going to come see me play in a fall league game that day, but I told him he didn't have to, and he took my brother fishing. But I realize that everything happens for a reason, and I couldn't let it become a negative in my life. I had to keep doing what he wanted me to do, and he always said books before ball."

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Smart is averaging 19 points and nine rebounds per game for the Phoenix, who are off to an 8-3 start. He played well in a 60-54 loss to visiting Johnson Saturday, scoring 17 points while pulling double digit rebounds -- with an impressive dunk off an inbound pass. He has also kept his pledge with school, maintaining a 3.5 GPA.

Erik Smart was a three-sport standout in his days at Groves, starring in basketball, football and track and field. That's where he met Cristine Mclendon, who was a standout in basketball and track and field for the Rebels. The couple had three sons.

Erik Smart, a Navy veteran, was fishing with Derrick on the St. John's River near the Alamacani Bridge, when they were swept away in a strong current the day of the accident, according to media reports. 

"We talked all the time and I was getting really close with him right before he died," DeAndre Smart said of his father. "He loved sports, and he's the one who taught me to dribble and do layups with my left hand."

Family has always been at the center of Smart's life.

"DeAndre has always been my go-to," Mclendon said of her son. "He's a hard worker, very intelligent and he's a very caring, loving person. He's not selfish and he's always taking his younger brother places -- teaching him about basketball and spending time with him. DeAndre has always been very mature for his age."

DeAndre was living with his grandparents and his mother, and was devastated again when Richard died in April.

"They had senior night against Islands, and DeAndre had a shirt with a picture of his grandfather on it -- he called him 'Papa,' " Mclendon said. "My dad was at every game, yelling from the stands. After he died, DeAndre had an AAU game and was crying."

Smart told his mom that 'Papa' saw him become a quality player, and he was depressed without his grandfather there to support him.

"I told him that Papa is still there with you, and he always will be," Mclendon said. "DeAndre has been through so much -- what he has experienced would hurt anybody. To have his father and brother die on his 15th birthday like that, I would have been torn to pieces. But DeAndre doesn't show his emotions too much. He's mellow and has dealt with it well."

DeAndre thinks New Hampstead has the talent to make a playoff run this season.

"I've got more confidence this year -- I'm more comfortable with the ball and taking more shots," Smart said. "As a team, we're getting better every day. We're fast and good at finishing around the rim."

Jeff Williams took over as the head coach for the Phoenix this season after a successful run at Evans High near Augusta.  

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"DeAndre was the first kid I met here, he was on my interview panel," Williams said. "He's one of the nicest kids you'll ever meet, and as a player he's big, strong and athletic. I think his biggest strength is his motor. He's like a sponge, always a 'yes sir, no sir' kind of guy and he's got a diverse game.

"We haven't talked much about what's happened, but he's really even keeled and I think he's handled it better that any kid his age could."

Mclendon is at every Phoenix game with her mother Tina, and son Khamari, 12, who looks up to DeAndre.

"We're all very proud of how DeAndre has handled all of this," Mclendon said. "We're proud of the young man he is." 

DeAndre is receiving recruiting interest from smaller schools, and being a 17-year-old senior he is considering attending a prep school in the fall to earn better opportunities.

In the meantime, he said he will keep working toward his goals, while remembering those he lost.

"I'll always play in the memory of my dad, my little brother and my grandfather," Smart said.

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