by Mark Rosner American-Statesman Staff , Austin American-Statesman

Smith's departure leaves Texas coach Rick Barnes with 13 players, right at the NCAA limit for scholarships.

The 6-foot-2-inch Smith was a member of the celebrated 2006 UT recruiting class that included Kevin Durant, D.J. Augustin, Damion James, Dexter Pittman, Justin Mason and Matt Hill.

James, Pittman, Mason and Hill remain at Texas from that class.

Augustin completed his rookie season in the NBA in April. Durant played a year at Texas before moving on to the NBA.

Smith never established himself as a regular , playing a total of 79 minutes in 20 games as a freshman or sophomore.

But near the end of last season, as guards struggled to make shots, Barnes called on Smith. He scored a career-best 12 points in 17 minutes at Oklahoma State on Feb. 28. He scored six points in 21 minutes the next game against Baylor. After that, Smith played 10 minutes against Colorado and nine against Baylor in the Big 12 tournament, total ing just three points in the two games.

Smith played just two minutes against Minnesota in the Longhorns' opening game of the NCAA tournament. He did not play in the next game, a 74-69 loss to Duke that ended Texas' season.

mrosner@statesman.com; 445-3958

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