Marcus Smart's Reputation As 'Most Notorious Flopper' Overshadows His Talent
ByDespite his talent, Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart has earned a reputation as college basketball's most notorious flopper.
The frustrated 19-year-old athlete, whose "unseemly habit of flopping" overshadows his ability to attack the rim and his oft-praised leadership qualities, insists he is not the only one trying to draw fouls, Yahoo Sports reported.
"I've probably built up a little reputation, and I'm not questioning that," Smart told ESPN after the Cowboys' latest loss on Monday to Iowa State - the team's fourth defeat in its past five contests. "But I'm not the only one flopping. Every team and every player does it to make sure you get the call."
During Monday night's triple-overtime loss to Iowa State, Smart pulled off "the rare double flop, trying to draw a charge on Cyclones guard DeAndre Kane," his most maddening display, Yahoo Sports reported.
Smart drew an elbow picking up Kane "near mid-court and appeared to embellish the contact with a yellow card-worthy dive," according to Yahoo Sports.
Once, Smart dove across the court trying to draw a "flagrant foul on Colorado in late-December;" another time, he "recoiled as though he'd taken a Mike Tyson punch to the jaw" after the elbow of Kansas' Wayne Selden grazed his mouth in January, Yahoo Sports reported.
His reputation as a notorious flopper has not deterred his opportunities. Smart was considered a lock for a high-lottery pick if he decided to enter the 2013 NBA draft, but he decided to return to Oklahoma for his sophomore season.
Smart told ESPN that even though his team is struggling "and he has displayed his frustration on the court with emotional outbursts," he has no regrets about rejecting millions and returning to school.