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<p>As we enter the dog days of summer, high school squads across North Carolina have begun to prepare for the 2024-2025 season. Among them are teams from the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to big-time prospects and programs. Welcome to year two of the Triad Preview Series, a five-part, in-depth look at the best basketball the Triad has to offer. Today's piece will feature Ben L. Smith an NCHSAA program and staple of Greensboro high school basketball.</p>
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<p>Ben L. Smith, minutes outside Greensboro, N.C., is a gritty, under-the-radar program that produces big time prospects. The 43rd ranked public school in North Carolina, a ranking people within their building believe to be disrespectfully low, Ben L. Smith plays with a chip on its shoulder year in and year out. 2023-2024 was no different. The Golden Eagles finished the 2023-2024 regular season 22-5, 12-4 in-conference, and as the #14 seed in the western quadrant of the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs. Ben L. Smith handled business in their first round matchup against #19 seed Dudley in a a competitive 73-64 fourth quarter win. A win against Dudley propelled the Golden Eagles to an unfavorable second round matchup against #3 seed Central Davidson. They took care of business in round 2 in a convincing 62-46 win. Ben L. Smith faced #6 East Henderson in a highly anticipated third round matchup and 20-pieced the Eagles on their home floor. The 2023-2024 season ended in an 84-48 quarterfinal loss to #2 seed Central Cabarrus, the eventual NCHSAA 3A state champions. The 2023-2024 postseason was not a fluke for the Golden Eagles. This is a talented roster who is returning a vast amount of playoff experience. This is a program anchored with dissatisfaction who will look to finish the job next season. Let's meet some guys on their roster who can make that happen.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Tayshawn Mann is a prospect out of the class of 2025 who I've had on my eye on for a while now. I first discovered Tayshawn in August 2023, and was highly impressed with his size, length, athleticism, and physicality. At 6'3", Mann is a strong, physical combo guard whose skillset is anchored in his athleticism and versatility. He's an elite ball handler, a consistent shot maker on all three levels, and is a vocal leader who sets the tone from the jump. Mann is a ferocious downhill driver who loves to get out in transition and push the break. He's a tough finisher at the rim who can execute through contact and make plays. Mann has an elite mid-range game and has worked his tail off to develop a consistent three-point look that adds another level of versatility to his game. His strength and speed enable him to penetrate the lane and create for himself and his teammates. Mann is just about everything coaches at the next level look for in a defender. He moves his feet exceptionally well for a prospect with his body type, he's disciplined, and he's got that get-after-it mentality on loose balls and in the trenches that give him an edge. There's no doubt Tayshawn Mann will be Ben L. Smith's go-to-guy in 2024-2025. I have faith he has what it takes to anchor this squads backcourt and set the tone for a season with expectations that are through the roof. </p>
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<p>Galvin Palmore is an intriguing prospect out of the class of 2026 with a tremendous amount of upside. Simply put, Palmore is an elite scorer who's length and size allow him to create open and shots for himself and make big-time plays. He's a physical, high-energy guy who is a versatile shot maker. Palmore moves excels with the ball in his hands and is a high IQ guy who takes quality shots. His 6'4" frame allows him to finish contested shots underneath the basket and around the perimeter. Palmore is an underrated rebounder who's height and athleticism give him the physicality to compete down low with opposing teams' bigs. He's a prospect who has slowly ascended in our class of 2026 rankings and has continued to soak up his coaching and get better every day. I'm high on [player_tooltip player_id='2175500' first='Gavin' last='Palmore'] to not only be a big-time playmaker and clutch scorer for Ben L. Smith this season but also as a guy whose stock will continue to rise as he approaches a highly anticipated junior year. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Micah Cowan is a class of 2025 guy who has flown under the radar so far in his 3 year stint at Ben L. Smith. Cowan, an average-sized, slimmer guard, with more of a traditional skillset and style of play, is by no means the flashiest guy on this talented roster. That does not make him any less important. Cowan is a quick decision making point guard whose speed and elite ball handling are at the forefront of his game. He's a high energy, high IQ guy who loves to compete on both ends of the floor. Cowan's got an explosive mentality that allows him to attack the basket and finish through contact at the rim. He's a consistent mid-range shooter who is working to develop a more reliable three-point look. Cowan is a dawg defensively who plays solid, fundamental defense with active hands. With a Ben L. Smith team looking for another guard to step up and complement Tayshawn Mann's skillset, expect Micah Cowan to be that dude.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2633043' first='Kenny' last='Miller Jr']. is an intriguing wing from the class of 2025 who has got a ton of potential. At 6'4", Miller really spreads the floor for Ben L. Smith and gives them a ton of different options offensively. Miller Jr. is an elite, versatile scorer who's got an attack-first mentality that fuels his style of play. He's a quick wing who runs the floor well and utilizes his feet to get his body square and knock down big shots. Miller's athleticism allows him to knock-down off balance, contested shots at the rim and around the perimeter. He's a reliable defender who takes pride in his ability to match-up with and lock-down 1-4. There's no doubt Miller can improve his handle and work this summer to fill out his body, but here's a guy who is expected to take a huge step for his senior season in 2024-2025. I think he'll take it head on and be another leader the Golden Eagles will need alongside their talented backcourt.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">I'm really high on Juston Leak out of the class of 2026 to show the hoop state what he's all about in 2024-2025. Leak is a talented point guard who has the opportunity to compete for a meaningful role on this roster next season. He's a gifted floor general with an exceptional feel for the game. Leak makes plays on and off the ball that put the guys around him in a prime position to score. He's an underrated athlete who makes the extra play on both ends of the floor that help his team win games. Leak is a maestro on the break and loves to push the pace in transition. There hasn't been a ton of talk on Juston Leak so far but with a Ben L. Smith squad looking for stronger guard play to complement Tayshawn Mann, I think Leak has the opportunity to be a key part to this roster's success.</p>
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As we enter the dog days of summer, high school squads across North Carolina have begun to prepare for the 2024-2025 season. Among them are teams from the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to big-time prospects and programs. Welcome to year two of the Triad Preview Series, a five-part, in-depth look at the best basketball the Triad has to offer. Today's piece will feature Ben L. Smith an NCHSAA program and staple of Greensboro high school basketball.
HEIGHT
6'3"
POS
CG
CLASS
2025
State:
North Carolina
School:
Ben L. Smith
Club:
E. A. Prep Stars
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HEIGHT
6'4"
POS
SF
CLASS
2026
State:
North Carolina
School:
Ben L. Smith
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HEIGHT
6'0"
POS
PG
CLASS
2025
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HEIGHT
6'4"
POS
SF
CLASS
2025
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HEIGHT
6'0"
POS
PG
CLASS
2026
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