Cooper Smith (2018) Recruiting Report
The Tennessee Panthers 17u had a strong July. One contributor to the success was 2018 guard Cooper Smith (Hendersonville).
Two weeks ago Smith added his first D1 offer as Charleston Southern offered.
“That was two weeks ago when we were in Atlanta,” said Cooper Smith. “It was the weekend of July 22-23. We beat 1Family and we had a good game.”
The Tennessee Panthers caught some college interest from that week and Smith is riding that wave into August.
“I talked to Alabama-Huntsville,” said Cooper Smith. “Western Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Lee University, a few others. Lincoln Memorial. Lamar.”
Judging by his offer and interest college coaches deem him a low major D1 prospect, while several elite D2’s are trying to claw their way into his heart.
“I am a bigger point guard, so I try to use that my advantage,” said the 6-foot-4 lead guard. “I try to go to the post against smaller guards and a lot of my game is slashing and being able to finish at the rim. I have some athleticism, so I try to use what I have to my advantage.”
Smith really devoted himself to improving as a player and Tennessee Panthers AAU Coach Jermarus McInnis kept his backcourt horse in the race.
“He plays both ends extremely hard,” said AAU Coach McInnis. “He never takes plays off. He’s tough as nails and his personal stats take the backseat if it results it a win. He never puts himself before the team.”
Cooper Smith is not in a hurry to decide.
“I am still kind of waiting,” said Cooper Smith. “I am looking to go through this school year season and hopefully commit later on.”
When he does decide Cooper has a few stipulations for the school and program he wants to join.
“Obviously just being a good fit with the team and the coaching staff,” said Cooper Smith. “I want to go somewhere where I will be able to do well and the team will do well. I want to go into whatever (major) I want, but I don’t really know yet. I want to be able to do well in school and basketball.
Some players mention school. Most do it because it sounds like the proper thing to discuss. ‘School first.’ But academics seems like an actual priority for Cooper. He has the results to prove it.
The senior-to-be scored a 27 on the ACT the first time he took it (he wants to take it again) and maintains a powerful 3.8 GPA.
July was helpful for Cooper Smith, but he plans to draw out the process and actually would like to sign in the spring. It was a summer of climbing for Smith and that climb continues with Hendersonville High School team.