Recruiting Report: Travius Smith (2016)

<div>There are certain players that, even if you’ve never heard of them or seen them play, you can tell they are going to put on a show just by looking at them. When you look at 6’3 Travius Smith of Lake Taylor, with his long arms and athletic frame, you know to keep an eye on him when he’s in transition.</div><div> </div> <div>The senior put on a display that almost shut down twitter last Thursday at Boo Williams Sportsplex when he took off from almost the foul line for a huge one handed slam. His athleticism and ability to cause havoc on the defensive end has a range of schools from all levels looking at Smith as a possibility.</div> <div> </div> <div>“I’ve got schools like Norfolk State, Liberty, VMI, NJIT, Queens of Charlotte, Catawba, Mount Oliver, Virginia Wesleyan and Bridgewater all recruiting me,” Smith said.</div> <div> </div> <div>Despite no offers yet, it’s impossible to ignore the impact that he has on games even when he isn’t scoring. Smith is a true energy guy, who’s capable of swinging the momentum of a game with one big slam, or by forcing some turnovers to get a few quick buckets in transition. His length is an added bonus on the glass, where he is able to rebound like a four on both ends.</div> <div> </div> <div>“Schools really love my athleticism, motor and defense, how I never give up,” Smith said. “I that they think I need to work on my jump shot and getting bigger, which I have been working on all summer.”</div> <div> </div> <div>While his skill set needs a little bit of fine tuning, nothing a prep year or redshirt can’t fix, when it’s all there he’ll translate well with his athleticism. Smith wants to continue playing the game as long as he can, and wants to find a school that will help him achieve that.</div> <div> </div> <div>“I’m looking for a school where I will play early and and graduate to take my talents overseas,” he said. “If that doesn’t work, I want to become a high school or college coach so I can give back to the kids.”</div> <div> </div> <div>As for now, Smith says he’s only focused on doing what’s best for both him and his team, whether it’s on the court or off the court.</div> <div> </div> <div>“I’m just going to keep working in the classroom and the court, focus on graduating and getting a state ring. The rest will come to me.”</div> <div> </div> <div>Smith leads a talented and athletic Lake Taylor team that will be competing in a 4A conference that no longer features Booker T. Washington or IC Norcom, so the time may be now.</div> <div> </div> <div>Even if they don’t win a state title, the ticket for admission will be more than worth it to see him.</div>