In 1997, former MSU basketball player Steve Smith donated $2.5 million for the construction of the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center — a building named after Smith's mother that serves MSU's athletes.

Ten years later, the 14-year NBA veteran is a television color analyst for the Atlanta Hawks. Earlier this week, The State News caught up with him.

What do you miss about playing?

Playing in front of a crowd. I got a chance to play at the biggest stages at college and in the NBA, and it was about crowds — playing in front of them and the emotion and adrenaline.

What don't you miss about playing?

I probably don't miss my later years, just getting older and the things I couldn't do physically.

What's your best nonbasketball memory at MSU?

All four years for me. Every moment off the court was great because of friends. ? Those four years are something I wish I could get back.

Tom Izzo was an assistant coach when you played here. What was he like then?

He's really the same. He took the game serious, had a passion for the game and always outworked all coaches as far as assistant coaches in the Big Ten.

There's a Magic Johnson statue outside Breslin Center. When will we see a Steve Smith statue?

I don't think that's for me to decide. Having Magic's statue outside Breslin is well-deserved. He's the face of MSU basketball.

Where's your favorite place to go when you come back to East Lansing?

The Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, my mom's building — I'm always there. And after that, there's many places. I can't go back and get free food at all the places if I mention just one.