Smiley is averaging a team-best 19.8 points per game for the Wizards.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer) “He can read ball-screen coverages, and the way the game moves, how guys post up,” Steve said.

University of Northern Colorado men's basketball coach Steve Smiley, right, and his wife, Nikki Smiley, watch their son, Madden, play Fossil Ridge on Jan. 14, 2025, in Windsor. (Jim Rydbom/Staff ...

University of Northern Colorado head mens basketball coach Steve Smiley directs his team while playing against Idaho at Bank of Colorado Arena on Saturday Feb. 22, 2025.(Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer) ...

Northern Colorado head coach Steve Smiley yells plays to his players during the second half of a game against Houston on Nov. 7, 2022, in Houston.

FILE – Northern Colorado head coach Steve Smiley calls out a play to his team against Montana during an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Big Sky tournament, Wednesday ...

Steve has been on UNC's staff for eight years now, ascending to head coach in 2020. That stability allowed Madden to grow up through the Greeley and Windsor schools, plus Colorado club hoops.

Smiley, the son of Northern Colorado men's basketball coach Steve Smiley, also hit 1,000 career points, a rarity for high school juniors. He did it with a career-high 38 points vs. Poudre on Feb. 11.

University of Northern Colorado men's basketball coach Steve Smiley, right, and his wife, Nikki Smiley, watch their son, Madden, play Fossil Ridge on Jan. 14, 2025, in Windsor.