Mike Smith and DeVante' Jones had a serendipitous encounter in June.
The two players were at the G League Elite Camp in Chicago, hoping to impress NBA scouts. Smith was coming off a season in which he started every game at point guard for Michigan basketball after transferring from Columbia last spring.
Jones, meanwhile, had decided earlier this offseason that he would transfer from Coastal Carolina to Michigan while still partaking in the NBA draft process.
When the two crossed paths in Chicago, Smith had a simple message for Jones.