April 26, 2011

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University men's basketball head coach Tom Pecora announced the signing of Bryan Smith (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood) and Luka Zivkovic (Belgrade, Serbia/Traders Point Christian Academy) to National Letters of Intent for the 2011-12 season. They will join Ryan Canty (Danvers, Mass./Brimmer & May), Devon "Fatty" McMillan (Brooklyn, N.Y./Newburgh Free Academy (Notre Dame Prep)) and Jeffrey Short (Bronx, N.Y./John F. Kennedy (Notre Dame Prep)), who all signed letters of intent in the fall, on the 2011-12 Fordham roster.

Smith, a 6'2", 195-pound combo guard, wrapped up his senior year at Midwood High School by leading the team to its first city title since 1968.

On the year, Smith averaged 28 ppg, nine rpg and seven assists/game. He set the school's scoring record with a 68-point outburst in Midwood's league-opening win over James Madison on December 1st. He scored 38 points in the first half and shot 9-for-11 from behind the arc in that game while also grabbing ten rebounds and dishing out eight assists.

Smith led Midwood to a 23-3 record and the Brooklyn A South crown this winter and was named Honorable Mention All-City by the New York Post.

Smith began his Midwood career averaging 15 points/game as a sophomore and then netted 23 points/game as a junior for the Hornets in 2009-10.

He chose Fordham over Hofstra, College of Charleston and Siena, among other schools.

"Bryan Smith is a prototypical New York City guard who fits the way we've coached and played," said Pecora. "His growth as a player is limitless."

Zivkovic, a 6'8", 215-pound forward, played at Traders Point Christian Academy, located just outside Indianapolis, last year where he was coached by former NBA player, Dave Jamerson. He is the first student-athlete from the school to sign with an NCAA Division I program.

Zivkovic helped Traders Point Christian Academy to the 2011 Indiana Christian Schools State Championships in the program's third year of existence, defeating Clinton Christian, 72-62, in the finals. He scored 14 points and added ten rebounds in the championship game. Zivkovic is noted for his ability to hit shots from behind the arc as well as his high basketball IQ. He was rated three-and-a-half stars by Scoutingindiana.com.

Prior to playing at Traders Point Christian Academy last year, Zivkovic played for ten years in his native country of Serbia.

"We are thrilled to have Luka Zivkovic join the team," said Pecora. "He has a great skill set and will fit into our offensive schemes perfectly."

Other schools that showed interest in Zivkovic included Western Michigan, Valparaiso and Duquesne.

"Bryan and Luka both bring a great work ethic to the team," noted Pecora. "They have both excelled in the classroom and on the court in their high school careers and we look forward to that continuing at Fordham."