Strength Through The Struggle
December 12, 2023 | Men's Basketball, Joel Coleman
Tolu Smith has continued to be a vital Bulldog even as he’s battled back from injury.
STARKVILLE – Earlier this month, Galen Smith, Sr., sat in the Humphrey Coliseum watching on and supporting Mississippi State men's basketball. His son, Tolu Smith III, remained out of action – sidelined since a foot injury sustained in preseason practice.
By now, if you're reading this, you surely know Tolu's tale. A promising final season in Maroon and White awaited him.
The All-SEC center was to be a driving force to help MSU get back into the NCAA Tournament for a second-straight year and was aiming to cap his collegiate career in style. All of that remains on the table for Tolu, but it hasn't been able to start yet. Tolu's ailment has stood in the way.
However, what it hasn't done is slow down Tolu's spirit.
"If you know my son, you know he has a really strong belief in God," the elder Smith said. "That's where his strength comes from. He pulls from that strength. He's lived in that strength a long time."
It's a strength that continues to pour out of Tolu and into others, even while he eagerly awaits his return to the court.
"When I first found out the news [about my injury], I had my little sob story for a couple of minutes," Tolu said. "Then I was like, 'Well, the team still needs me, so I need to be there for the team and be a leader.'"
Right now, Tolu can't swat shots. He can't pull down a board or post up and get the Dawgs a basket.
But what he can do is cheer. What he can do is encourage. What he can do is be the biggest Mississippi State men's basketball supporter there is, and that's precisely what he's done.
Head coach Chris Jans recognizes, it all could've gone another way.
"It's cool," Jans said. "It could be not cool, too. A kid like that, that has the hopes and dreams he has, to get hit with something like [his injury] – that was a crushing blow. He could be bitter. He could be mad at the world. He could be selfish. And he's none of those things. I'm just thankful and grateful for who he is as a man and for how he was raised. His parents should be proud of him for how he's handled this adversity."
For sure, both Galen along with Tolu's mom, Shannel, are proud of their son. They find great joy in the man they've raised and the person he is. They also appreciate the resolve that's fueling Tolu as he works his way back to action.
That drive looks pretty familiar to both Mom and Dad. They recognize it.
"A lot of that comes from his father," Shannel said.
Galen doesn't take all the credit though.
"It's kind of a family trait," Galen said. "[Shannel] played at South Alabama at a high level, so it's not like it just comes from me. Plus, at the same time, you're not just born with [that kind of determination]. You have to develop it. It comes over years with consistency and hard work and doing what you know is the right thing to do. So, you also have to give credit to him and all his hard work he's put into everything."
Tolu indeed knows all about putting his head down and grinding. After all, this latest injury is just the most recent obstacle that's gotten in his path.
Fighting back from things like this is, unfortunately, nothing new for Tolu. Two seasons ago, the big man missed significant time battling through multiple hurts. But in many ways, that time period was serving to prepare Tolu for now.
"It's good to have those experiences," Smith said. "I know how to attack this. I know I need to be mentally strong as much as physically strong. I know my team still needs me to be a leader and use me and I need to be able to be vocal and have a voice on the court."
Tolu has done exactly that and Jans has appreciated how Tolu has handled not just using his voice but using it the right way.
"He's done it with the right vibe," Jans explained. "He's not trying to be a coach. He's not saying, 'Hey, I've been there and done that. Listen to me.' It's encouraging."
Tolu has certainly made the most out of a difficult situation. Of course, his eyes remain on the exclamation point to his story. That'll come here in a matter of weeks when he's expected to make his return to the floor.
That moment will be a celebration of not only Tolu's resilience, but the work and support of many including a pair of key guys behind the scenes – athletic trainer Andrew Kegley and strength coach Dominick Walker.
"[Kegley] is probably the best trainer I've ever had…I think he's handled this the best that anybody could handle it," Tolu said. "[Walker], he's been great. He's just a guy that mentally knows a lot. He's really intelligent and knows a lot about things off the court. He helps me to mentally grow and be strong because he knows injuries like this tend to wear on you not physically as much, but spiritually and mentally. [MSU] made a great choice with those two guys. Those are great guys."
Kegley and Walker are two of the many that are yearning for the chance to finally see Tolu back in action. As good as he's been as a supporter and cheerleader, Tolu is at his best in uniform doing his thing.
He continues to make the most of a tough situation, but make no mistake about it, Tolu's eyes remain on his comeback.
"I swear I've dreamed about the first day I can get back on the floor and they call my name," Tolu said. "I'm going to try not to cry."
Most likely, Smith will be far from the only one fighting to hold back the tears.
