IRVINE, Calif. -- UC Irvine men's basketball assistant coach Julius Smith was invited to the Silver Waves Media NXT Up Rising Stars Power Lunch.

The event was held April 2 in Indianapolis, IN to recognize coaches that have distinguished themselves as rising stars in college basketball.

Smith has been on the UCI staff for the last two seasons, helping the Anteaters to a Big West regular season title in 2025-26 and a NIT Championship appearance and school record 32-7 overall mark in 2024-25.