Stanford's new coach, Kyle Smith, fulfills his dream of leading the Cardinal basketball program, aiming to restore its former glory under Mike Montgomery. Smith, known for his analytical approach dubbed "Nerdball," believes in Stanford's potential to attract top players despite challenges like the transfer portal and NIL money.

Smith's appointment signals a strategic move by Stanford to revitalize its basketball program with a coach who combines analytics, successful coaching experience, and a commitment to academic excellence.

• Stanford had one NCAA Tournament berth in the past 16 seasons.
• Kyle Smith boasts a 258-193 career record with nine consecutive non-losing seasons.

• Stanford basketball has struggled to replicate past success, with recent underwhelming performances.
• Washington State, Smith's former team, faces challenges amid Pac-12 realignment.

Smith plans to leverage his recruiting experience and analytics-driven approach to elevate Stanford's basketball program, aiming to attract top talent while maintaining academic standards.

Kyle Smith's appointment at Stanford represents a strategic move to reinvigorate the basketball program, emphasizing a balance between athletic success and academic excellence under his analytical coaching style.