7p 5a 2s vs Team Thrill

-Smith fills a nice role on this Team Final group to provide both primary and secondary playmaking as a prospect with good feel. Smith started things off by knocking down a 3 off the catch from the wing, hit a one-dribble fade-away midrange bucket, and kept the defense honest with some high level play-making in the halfcourt. Smith sliced across the face of the defense repeatedly to gain a step after his matchup got hit by a rub screen to then turn downhill and wreak havoc in vulnerable spots within his opponent’s man or zone defensive schemes. Liked his ability to play with pace and take care of the rock despite matching up with smaller, hyper-aggressive guards.

Providing an important spark for a Panther team that was offensively-challenged for stretches of the game, Smith stepped up with 10 crucial points while controlling the point of attack on both ends of the floor. The sophomore lead guard delivered a pair of timely 3’s, showcasing a smooth and confident stroke from the perimeter. He got into the midrange to display his trademark pullup game and was effective using his handle and straight-line burst to put pressure on the paint going downhill. His ball pressure was also key in forcing a handful of late Judge turnovers to help Imhotep recapture the lead in the final minutes. Smith’s no-nonsense two-way approach should translate nicely to the next level when his time comes.

A high-octane guard who gained noteworthy experience as a valued rotation piece as a freshman, Smith is taking another step up the rotation as a fulltime starter and was key to Imhotep’s narrow win over PSAL champion Thomas Jefferson. The sophomore was near the team-lead with 13 points, showing consistent aggression attacking the paint both in the halfcourt and transition. He got things started with a 3 to stretch the defense out, switching into attack mode as the game went on and often creating something out of nothing in a game that struggled to generate much offensive flow. Smith did have some turnover woes that will surely be addressed moving forward, but the future nonetheless appears bright for the “next up” out of an Imhotep backcourt thats produced well over a dozen D1 stalwarts over the years.

Seeing increasing minutes down the stretch of the season during a run to the state semifinals, Smith has carried that experience positively into the spring. He’s kept right on winning, leading Final Red to a 6-2 record in EYCL play with a chance to qualify for Peach Jam in July. The high-octane guard has consistently stuffed the stat sheet, looking to speed up the tempo with his aggressiveness at the point of attack both getting downhill and defending the ball. If he can blend that skillset with the reliable shotmaking ability he showed in the winter, it should only be a matter of time before D1s begin to take note as he climbs the ranks at Imhotep.

A key piece for the future of the powerful Imhotep program, Smith has used the back half of his freshman season to show he’s also more than ready to be a factor in the immediate. Smith uses a quick first step and compact handle to propel into the lane with regularity before taking on help defenders at the rim. We’ll look to see him develop more of a pullup game over time, but he’s a consistent shooter off the catch via kickouts or ball reversals. As is expected of any Imhotep guard, Smith is a constant pest while applying pressure as an on-ball defender. The future looks bright for the young floor general who figures to attract D1 attention in the years to come.

Smith is well known for hisridiculous end-to-end speed and his elusive handles which allow him to pilot the fast break for scores and assists. Those same assets make Smith a dribble drive wizard in the half-court too. On half-court possessions Smith excels at getting to the lane and then kicking out to open shooter or dropping a pass to the dunker spot. He can also finish at the cup with creative flair. Still, the most impressive part of Smith’s skill set this season has been the improvement in his three-point shooting. He has developed into a legitimate long-range threat who can space the floor for ‘Tep’s athletic wings scorers. In mid-January Smith dropped 15 points (3 triples) on West Philly.