UALR says guard Smith leaving team, on course to graduate

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas-Little Rock says guard DeVonte Smith is leaving the basketball team to focus more on his family, but he is still on course to graduate in May.

Coach Steve Shields said in a statement Tuesday that, since the birth of Smith's son last October, Smith has had to spend more time on his personal life. Shields said it was in Smith's best interest to drop basketball, remain in his classes and leave school in May with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Smith is from Oklahoma City. He played in all 32 games last year and in 21 this season. He started eight games and averaged 2.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. His 2.9 assist-to-turnover ratio was the best in the Sun Belt Conference and ranked 17th nationally.