Picture via HoopMixtape.com
Dennis Smith Jr. (Class of 2016)
Smith is currently ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect on the ESPN 100 and the number one point guard. The Fayetteville, NC native tore up the AAU circuit for Team Loaded and he led the Adidas gauntlet last spring in assists with 6.9 per game. He also brings electrifying energy to the court with an insane vertical jump. Smith’s biggest weakness is his outside shot. With his attacking ability he doesn’t need to become a 3 point assassin, but he can’t have defenses packing it in the paint when he has the ball because then there is less space for him to attack the basket. Smith is a straight competitor. His stock started to boost when he led his school (Trinity Christian School) over the 53rd overall prospect in the class of 2016 Seventh Woods–Smith scored 22 points in the process. Then, the next night, Smith led his squad to a victory over current University Of North Carolina standout Justin Jackson. Not only did Smith get the win, but he made a big statement scoring 42 points in the process, earning him an offer from Mark Gottfried and the NC State Wolfpack. Smith’s lifelong work has turned him into the type of player he is today. According to the Fayobserver, Smith would visit Jerelds Stadium twice a week to run laps and jump stairs. He was solely focused on being able to get up there and slam it down and it seems all the hard work is paying off. Smith also has the personality that you want to be around. Sources say he claims he’s the best rapper in high school basketball. He also told USA Today that he will debut his acting career on the hit TV show Empire during their second season. According to ESPN, Smith recently committed to the NC state Wolfpack. For more up to the minute High School Basketball recruiting news, be sure to check JakeInThePaint.com everyday. If you have thoughts, comments or suggestions of things to be featured here, reach out to me at [email protected]
NBA comparison: Russell Westbrook