Smith was pretty consistent throughout the game being able to score the basketball from all three levels. In the first half of the game, he focused on scoring from fifteen feet, and during the second half of the game, he began to show his ability to shoot it from deep by knocking down a three-pointer.

A great example of iron sharpening iron. Smith has reached new heights this season after a spring and summer competing against national competition. He’s always been a presence on the offensive glass, Now his improved, consistent shooting in the mid-range and beyond the arc has caused his profile to rise from a prospect with upside to being one of the top players in the state.

He’s a physically strong player, which could help him earn early opportunities at the next level. His strong base will allow him to help defend the post player, while also having the understanding of angles and how to play defense on the perimeter.  He profiles early in his collegiate career as “3 and D” player, with the upside to develop into a more well rounded scorer as an upperclassmen. Fittingly, similar to his high school path.

Putnam City North standout CJ Smith CJ Smith 6'7" | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK has had an unbelievable senior season and has jumped into the top five for overall prospects. His emergence this season as an absolute star has been fun to watch from early on in the season. For me personally, I first saw Smith in October before his junior season at Heritage Hall. He seemed like a prospect that was knocking on the door of becoming a big name in the state. He kicked the door down this season as he helped lead Putnam City North to a really successful regular season and they are now a couple wins away from the state tournament. Smith has some layers to his game that we’re still continuing to break down. We think he’s one of the more confident players in the state at this point and after the way he’s played this season, we don’t blame him.

We wrote about senior standout CJ Smith CJ Smith 6'7" | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK quite a bit last week and early this week as he was absolutely dominant in the Mustang tournament, taking home MVP honors. Smith has finally reached that point that we have seen flashes of the last few seasons. Smith was always a dynamic player that could be the best player on the floor if he wanted to be. But he’s reached that extra gear this season and we’re seeing that top level play from him on a more consistent basis. And based on his play so far this season, that consistency of playing at a high level is what has made him a borderline top five prospect at this point within the state’s 2023 class. Smith has a lot to like about his game and now that he’s unlocking the different little elements and becoming more assertive, he is going to be fun down the stretch. Smith is arguably the biggest reason that PC North is a legitimate contender to raise a gold ball in March.

The MVP of the tournament, it was a fitting cap to the year of 2022 as Smith went from a good player in the Class of 2023 to one of Oklahoma’s best. Over the three games he averaged 20 points on a blistering 62% from the field. This was through a combination of knocking through threes and also using his size and athleticism to get to the rim or create quality looks in the midrange.

Smith has always had “D1” upside and over the course of the past year the light has fully came on for him, making him not only a D1 talent but also. D1 producer. Right now his recruitment is falling victim to being in Oklahoma. If he was a prospect with the same physical traits and senior year production, in Dallas, Houston or Kansas City, Smith would be entertaining much more interest from low to mid major programs looking for unsigned seniors. Especially as he has excellent academics, which could open up interest from Patriot and possibly Ivy league programs. Hopefully the amazing start to Smith’s senior year continues and his recruitment gains momentum.

Tournament MVP CJ Smith CJ Smith 6'7" | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK scored 23 points on the night, on only 13 shots. He also hauled in 8 rebounds, while putting together an impressive end to end performance. Offensively, he had one of his best finishing games around the rim. Even powering through a football like wrap up tackle for an exclamation point transition score. Along with scoring right at the rim, he was able to get to his spots as a driver when pulling up in the 10 feet range. Mix in a pair of threes and it was a complete display of dominance. On the defensive end, he played with the same intensity as the rest of his Panther teammates.  He crowded defenders on the perimeter using his size and strength to harass them when they put it on the floor. While also closing out to make life difficult for shooters or blocking/altering shots at the rim.

The light has fully come on for Smith in the past two months. With his improved intensity, confidence and scoring, the Panther is now one of the best players in the state and is the type of two way talent, that should have coaches flocking to Oklahoma in the upcoming months to recruit him.

One of the top available players in Oklahoma’s senior class, Smith has made a huge leap in his overall game. Always a player that impacted the game as a tough offensive rebounder and flashes as a shooter, he’s become a more complete and consistent scorer with the Panthers this season. He opened the game with a pair of three pointers, showing his improvement as a shooter. He rounded out his 24 points with attacks on the rim. From being able to finish through contact to cleaning up the offensive glass, Smith put on an offensive clinic. The senior wing has the combination of athleticism, motor and skill level to make an impact at the Division One level next season.

The first of two outstanding senior performances from PC North was CJ Smith CJ Smith 6'7" | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK , going for 24 points in the win on Thursday. Smith would score in a variety of ways and even though his shot wasn’t falling early on, he kept at it and had an explosive second half. 15 of his 24 points came after halftime and he started heating up from beyond the arc and was able to convert on his opportunities at the free throw line. Smith is coming off a performance last week where he was literally perfect from the field. He wasn’t perfect on Thursday but you could see that once he started heating up, it wouldn’t take very long. He took over in the second half and did a great job finishing.

Perfect. There’s no other word to describe the game that Putnam City North’s CJ Smith CJ Smith 6'7" | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK had on Friday night. As the Panthers rolled to a 100-67 victory over Midwest City, Smith was perfect from the field. He would finish with a game-high 35 points on the night and went 11-11 from the field and then also was 3-3 from beyond the arc. Smith is such an interesting senior guard to watch in the senior class. When I caught him in person a little over a year ago, he was absolutely dominant on the floor. So far, Smith is off to a great start. All eyes should be on Smith and PC North on Thursday when they square off with Douglass in the Joe Lawson Tournament in Norman.

A newcomer to Putnam City North, CJ Smith CJ Smith 6'7" | SF Putnam City North | 2023 State OK brings size, athleticism and State Tournament (Class 4A) experience to the Panthers. Smith has always flashed high upside play, but has not consistently put together the raw tools that he’s been blessed with. That looks to be changing with a challenging summer on the EYBL circuit being a catalyst to an impressive November preseason. Which should lead to an impressive senior campaign.