Smith is a downhill-attacking combo-guard who’s very difficult to stop with a head of steam. Melrose loves to give the 5-foot-11 senior the ball in early transition, and he does the rest. He has a good handle, surprising athleticism, and strength to take contact in the air. Furthermore, defenses play off of him because of his lack of shooting ability, which allows him to get a head of steam to the hoop.

I coached Connor as a freshman and his overall ability to score has been consistent. He use to have just one move around the rim but now has a variety of go to counter punches. He gets downhill and scores after contact. He changes the tempo of his dribble, plays off two feet and made an important jump stop in the paint to avoid an offensive foul. He could play D3 if he wanted in college.

Smith is one of the more athletic sub 6-foot guards in the entire MIAA. The 5-foot-11 combo guard can play on the ball as a scorer and facilitator—he excels with a head of steam and really elevates at the hoop—but he can also cut off the ball and find ways to score that way. The Melrose senior is most effective in transition, where he handles the ball well going full speed and has great body control in the air. He should be Melrose’s top scorer this season and will probably see a host of D3 opportunities as a result. Smith could also be one of the better point of attack defenders in the state if he really committed to it.

Smith was the best athlete on the floor, and it wasn’t particularly close. He has great end-to-end speed and can really handle the ball well in small spaces, and he also elevates super athletically at the hoop and can finish in a variety of ways. Most impressive is Smith’s propensity for getting into the lane and spraying out to teammates. Players are generally taught not to leave their feet to pass, but the Melrose senior does a great job finding players in the air. I could see him finding a D3 fit somewhere, especially if he improves his outside shot a bit.