INDIANAPOLIS – UConn senior guard Malachi Smith hopes to make the best of his opportunity to play in the Final Four, which he assumes will be the largest stage of his basketball career.
Smith transferred to UConn after four years at the University of Dayton. The 6-foot-1 guard from the Bronx came off the bench this season at UConn.
He’s the last player from New York’s five boroughs left in the NCAA Tournament although he’s one of two St. Raymond High School for Boys graduates playing a key role in the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis. Illinois associate head coach Orlando Antigua graduated from St. Raymond in 1991.
“It feels good,” Smith says of representing New York. “Some people have been saying New York City’s been down, so it feels good to put the city back on the map. That’s where I’m from. That’s where I was raised, so it feels good.”
UConn will face Illinois on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium in the first semifinal. Michigan will face Arizona in the second semifinal.
Our Esquina visited with Smith during UConn’s media availability session Thursday afternoon in Indianapolis.
Q&A with Malachi Smith
Question: How’s the reception been on campus and from friends since beating Duke in the Elite Eight?
Smith: I’ve had a lot of people text me that are proud of me. I don’t think it’s really hit me that we’re in the Final Four. Once I saw the size of the court though I said “Woe this is going to be crazy”. But I don’t think it’s fully hit me yet. It feels good though to have so many people text me and tell me that they’re proud.
Question: Your teammate made a 3-pointer in the final second to knock Duke out of the tournament. How many times have you watched that replay?
Smith: I’ve seen it a lot but I keep watching it and reading people’s reactions to it. I’ve seen it so many times but it still does not feel real. That was the craziest moment that I’ve ever lived in. I saw the ball in the air and knew it had a chance to go in.
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Question: Given your Puerto Rican background, what’s it been like playing this far into the tournament?
Smith: This is definitely the highest level I’ve played at and to represent New York City and Puerto Rico, on my dad’s side, it’s amazing. I just want people and younger kids especially to know that they can do it. Me coming from the Bronx, it’s really special to be here.
‘Stay in your lane’
Question: What advice would you give to kids that come from where you come from?
Smith: Stay in your lane. There will be ups and downs but try to have fun on the journey. Keep your head down, keep a smile on your face and put the work in.
Question: You’ve been so resilient coming back from multiple injuries. Does being here make it all feel worth it?
Smith: It’s definitely made it worth it. I’ve had four surgeries. I tore my meniscus, had two ankle surgeries, then tore my meniscus again. My ankle injuries were the worst, and I had to have reconstructive surgery.
To make it this far in my last year and knowing that I’m playing pretty well and that we’re winning, it means everything to me.
Grateful for dad’s support
Question: Your dad played a big role in your life. Was he a big factor in you not giving up when you were battling injuries?
Smith: Yeah he took it harder than me, he was crying when I got hurt. I told him we’re going to be alright. He told me we were going to be alright. Eventually it worked out and I’m so happy to be here right now. I’m blessed because I could be somewhere else. I could have taken the wrong path and I’m still here.
My dad and my parents were there for me the whole time. To have that support and know they have my back really helped me alot.
Question: What would you say is the reason you’ve been playing so well in March, probably better than you did during the regular season?
Smith: The coaching staff has helped me lock in. Even though my minutes have fluctuated throughout the season, my parents have been telling me to stay ready. And my coaches all year have told me that they’re going to need me to win. So I try to keep that in the back of my mind and no matter how many minutes I play, I’m going to bring as much energy as I can to the games.
Question: Before transferring to UConn, you were a starter and averaged 30 minutes per game when you were at Dayton. How’s the transition been to a new role?
Smith: It was hard for me to go from playing so much every game to not knowing how many minutes I would get each game. But my main thing when I entered the transfer portal was to win and play in the tournament. And I’m doing that now.
Question: What other schools were you considering when you entered the transfer portal?
Smith: Wake Forest and St. Johns, but UConn made me feel like a priority. I would’ve loved playing at St. John’s, it being 30 minutes away from me but UConn is also close by.
‘Intense’ Coach Hurley
Question: What was your impression of Coach Hurley before you got here and now that you’ve been here for a year?
Smith: Before I got here I just realized he’s an intense, passionate person and it’s been that times 10 since I’ve been here. Since our first workout in June he was intense to the practice we just had right now. It works so I don’t think he’s going to change but I wish we’d get a day off, I’m hurting (said jokingly).
Question: What’s behind UConn’s success, this being the 3rd Final Four in 4 years?
Smith: I give all praise to the coaching staff. They make sure we’ve been locked in since Day 1 in June.
