Recruiting Report: Brian Smith (2017)
One of the reasons many believe that Champlin Park is the preseason number one is talent returning like guard Brian Smith. At a listed 5-foot-7 Smith is a dangerous weapon for the Rebels. He is one of seven guys back…
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Continue ReadingOne of the reasons many believe that Champlin Park is the preseason number one is talent returning like guard Brian Smith.
At a listed 5-foot-7 Smith is a dangerous weapon for the Rebels. He is one of seven guys back from last year’s eight man rotation and Brian’s shooting led him to being the team’s third leading scorer at 9.3 points per game.
Expectations are very high in Champlin but Smith is working hard to get ready for his final high school basketball year.
“I plan to continue to gain weight and work on defensive skills,” Smith said. “As a team we are in the gym together almost every day before school and also just bonding with each other off the court getting better chemistry is something we want to do to get ready for the year.”
Smith had a wonderful experience playing with the Minnesota Select Ohnstad 17U team.
“The best things were of course traveling and playing against top competition in the NY2LA and Sanford Pentagon League, and going down to Vegas for one last go around when I had one of my best games ever,” Smith said.
“Also playing for Mitch Ohnstad because he changed the way I look and play the game. He’s taught me to be more of a leader and that’s the best thing I can have as I enter my senior year.”
The final week of the summer we reported that Smith had a 43 point game. That’s what the book said but Brian is honest and told us the real total. Either way, Smith’s AAU career finished in a big way.
“The best moment of the summer was definitely AAU when I got my first offer from Waldorf and also down in Vegas when I had 36 points,” Smith said. “In high school I had a lot of good moments as well but this AAU season was special.”
Brian isn’t big in size but he’s big in skill, toughness, intelligence, and consistency. Many schools want that in their program.
“I’m hearing from Waldorf, St. John’s, Hamline, Bethany, Morningside, Augsburg, and Gustavus,” Brian said.
“I may go back to Waldorf and Morningside asked me to come visit. I think I want to wait for basketball season to see if I pick up more interest from more schools.”