The Student-Athlete of the Week profiles a different St. Bonaventure athlete each week. This feature will allow Bonnies supporters to learn more about the outstanding student-athletes that represent St. Bonaventure University.

Senior Ahmad Smith, a 6-foot-5 All-Conference guard on the Bonnies basketball team from Alexandria, Va., talks about his career as it nears its end.

Q: Does it seem like just yesterday you were at the Paradise Jam playing in your first college game?

A: It does. I can't believe it's over. It feels like we are still getting on that plane in Buffalo heading for the Virgin Islands.

Q: After those first two games of your career, against Virginia Tech and Michigan, you were named A-10 Rookie of the Week. Did you think at that point, "maybe this isn't so tough?"

A: Yeah, and then we ran into BYU and I scored like three points. Reality set in.

Q: What has been the biggest thing you have developed over your career?

A: I started shooting the ball better later in my career. I really worked on my jump shot in the off-season.

Q: Are you aware of being in the top 25 in points in school history and if so, what does that mean to you?

A: It means a lot. There are a lot of great players on that list. It is a great accomplishment.

Q: Would you be disappointed if you didn't make the All-Conference team again this year?

A: I would be disappointed. I think I'm one of the best players in the conference regardless of our record. That is up for the coaches and media to decide, though.

Q: How do you handle not having many wins the last couple of seasons?

A: It's hard, but it's just basketball. It's not life-threatening. We have to keep working hard ... any day you can make an upset and turn around your whole season.

Q: What has been the biggest surprise over your career at St. Bonaventure?

A: How hard it is, how demanding it is to be a Division I athlete.

Q: You're close to your dad. What is the biggest way he has supported you over the last four years?

A: He supports me whether I have a bad game or a great game. If I have a bad game he is still going to love me the same as if I score 30 points and have 10 rebounds. He is always behind me no matter what the situation is.

Q: Have you realized yet that you are down to the final couple of weeks of your college basketball career?

A: The last week has really hit me. I'm trying to make the most of what's left and play hard every second.

Q: What is your attitude and emotions going into the GW game on Wednesday night? How are you going to overcome the emotions of Senior Night and focus on playing the sixth ranked team in the country?

A: I try not to think about it. I know I'll show a little emotion. I'm just trying to focus on the game. If you focus on your emotions, you might get blown out. It's not that hard to prepare for GW. It's a great setting: my last game against one of the top 10 teams in the country.

Q: What are your plans for the rest of this school year?

A: I'm on schedule to graduate and get my degree this spring. That walk across the stage will be the final day here.

Q: You have had role models ahead of you here like Marques Green and others who continued their basketball careers. What do you want to do basketball-wise after college?

A: My dad and the coaches are helping me. We haven't really talked about it that much yet because we are trying to focus on the season. I just want to follow in (former teammates) footsteps. I have seen a lot of Bonaventure players go overseas or play in the minor leagues here. Whatever I can do to just keep playing basketball. I also want to coach someday.

Q: Who is your all-time favorite teammate?

A: (Laughs) I can't pick ... there are too many. Marques, Mike Gansey, Joe Shepherd, Cortez Sutton, Moe Young, Jamil (Terrell). There's been a lot of characters.

Q: What will you miss the most about St. Bonaventure?

A: The fans, the atmosphere ... my teammates ... the locker room, behind-the-scenes stuff people don't see like the relationships and friends you have. They're friends for life.

Q: How do you want to be remembered by Bonaventure fans?

A: Someone who plays hard all the time.