UCI’s Smith Eligible; He’ll Debut Saturday

UC Irvine forward LaDay Smith, a transfer from California, has been declared eligible to make his debut on Saturday, when the Anteaters will face either Mississippi Valley State or second-ranked Kansas in the Golden Harvest Classic in Kansas City.

With center Dee Boyer out for three to six weeks because of a leg injury, Irvine is desperate for front-line depth. Smith, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound sophomore, averaged 21.6 points as a senior at Pasadena Muir High School in 1990. He appeared in 14 games for Cal during the 1990-91 season. Under NCAA regulations, he had to sit out for an academic year after transferring last fall.

Another reserve, junior forward Joe Hannon, has not yet been declared eligible after transferring from Canada College in Redwood City. Hannon, who is 6-8 and 220 pounds, is not scheduled to depart for Kansas City with the team today.

Irvine, which lost to Boston University in its opener, plays Missouri Kansas City on Friday.