Editor's Note: Theron Smith, a preseason Wooden Award candidate entering his senior season at Ball State, chronicles the 2002-03 season for ESPN.com.

	Theron Smith

What up world? Welcome to the first entry in my weekly diary for ESPN.com.

I'm coming back from a local high school, where I assisted Cody Lee in a class presentation. I met Cody last Thursday when he was job shadowing Chris Taylor from our athletics communications office at Ball State. Cody got to see Ball State behind-the-scenes and it was fun to go out and "surprise" him during his presentation to his class.

I try to be active and involved in the community as much as I can because it's a pretty good way to teach or help kids stay in school. Anything is possible. I am the perfect example of that.

Well, I'm back. Back at Ball State for my senior year and back from my injury. And, let me tell you, it's good to be back.

Last June at a workout for the Toronto Raptors, I was doing a spin move when I felt and heard a pop in my right knee. Luckily, I got the shot off. Unfortunately, I missed it. Little did I know then, but that was the last shot I would be taking for several months.

I found out when I returned that I tore my ACL. Everything changed that day. It was one of the saddest moments in my life, but I know you get stronger from times like this.

The support of my family, my teammates and coaches, and my friends at BSU helped me make it through. Corey Maggette and Elton Brand were also there for me and that meant a lot. Coach Tim Buckley was so supportive and a true friend -- through the draft decisions and the surgery.

I had surgery June 7 and my rehab started June 8. With the help of our trainer Tony Cox and treatment twice a day, seven days a week, I am now back shooting ... and hitting. My treatments consisted of being in the pool, flexibility exercises and many painful and tedious hours. But I stayed confident through it all even though it was hard.

I have a dream to play basketball and I was, and still am, determined to make that dream come true.

The first part of that starts this week when we open the season in Alaska. We leave at 6 a.m. Tuesday. It should be fun, should be challenging and should be extremely cold Coming from Florida, I can tell you the fish aren't frozen in the water where I am from!

Truthfully though, I am excited about this trip. Road trips are always a good time to get to know your team and staff, and there should be plenty of time for that this week. Basketball has provided me with many opportunities and this is another one I am thankful for.

I am focused on the 2002-03 season and my teammates and I want to make some noise this year. We have a talented team with a lot of people coming back. Everyone keeps asking me about the expectations and pressure on us. I think the respect we are getting is a tribute to the talent level and the hard work of everyone in the program. Personally, it's an honor to be mentioned with so many great players for all the awards. I know any success I have is a reflection of our team's success.

We open Friday night against Jacksonville State and the tournament runs through Sunday night. I will be back next week with a full report and weather update from our trip to Fairbanks!

Until next week, live life to the fullest ...

"T" Smith #21