We’ve reached the point in Smith-Bey’s development where he flashes new layers of his game in each updated viewing. The skill set is coming along quickly and as he typically does, the 6-foot-5 wing did a little bit of everything to further flaunt his versatility. While Graves is the primary playmaker for this New World group, Smith-Bey and Carter are next as a 2A/2B pecking order to lead in grab-and-go’s, act as playmakers on the secondary side of the floor and will operate in ball screens occasionally. The benefit to Smith-Bey and Carter not having the primary role means they still hunt for opportunities without the ball. Smith-Bey had some nice, timely putback dunks, effective cuts baseline as others operated at the top of the key or in the paint and was able to cash in on some catch-and-shoot opportunities. He’d finish the weekend averaging 8.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. His best game came Friday night in the win over Wildcat Select where he tallied 15 points and eight boards. Continuing to hone in on efficiency as a shooter will be key moving forward.

Playing up on 17s, Smith-Bey looked very comfortable as a primary option for this New World group. Looking at his build and makeup, you’d never thing he was “playing up” because he fits in from a physicality standpoint, but the flashes of improved ability playing off the bounce that we saw to end the high school season is making its transition into this environment. Despite being a top option, Smith-Bey’s low maintenance approach offensively always shines bright. He doesn’t chase after the ball and you won’t find him on the perimeter screaming the player’s name as they drive. Instead, he reads the defense effectively and uses his high-level instincts to make timely backdoor cuts or dives to the rim and put himself in position for clean looks. He was efficient with his dribbles playing off the catch and on multiple possessions, made the defender pay for shooting the gap with quick 1-to-2 dribble mid range pulls that looked extremely fluid.

-Our scouts really liked the strides that Smith-Bey made throughout the season as a full time starter for a Cadets team that pushed PVI to the brink in the WCAC Championship game. Smith-Bey added value off the ball as a much improved shooter capable of knocking down shots from the wings and corners. His willingness to get his hands dirty defensively and on the glass really set the tone for SJC this season. Smith-Bey will look to build on that momentum playing up with New World’s 17u group this offseason.

Smith-Bey did a lot of little things that catch your eye as an evaluator that, despite the lack of true production in St. John’s loss to St. Frances, keeps you high on his long-term trajectory. His frame has steadily improved this season and his footwork on both ends making the sort of plays that are expected at the high major level in college is all present. He’d finish with 11 points and did a nice job of getting downhill into driving lanes and drawing contact to visit the line where he scored more than half his points. His defensive tools were evident as he kept the ball in front in space, effectively walled up as the rotating weakside guy and helped close down possessions on the glass.

-This dynamic guard prospect has ramped things up at the offensive end of the floor to start the season, showing off an improved shooting stroke behind the arc in the wings and corners–specifically. He’s also mixing in more drives to the rim to open up cutting lanes for teammates while also impacting the game on the offensive glass to extend possessions for his team. His physical brand of play at both ends of the floor sets the tone for the Cadets.

Really coming into his own after showing flashes as a freshman, Smith-Bey has impressed with each viewing of St. John’s this winter and Saturday proved to be no different. The sophomore wing guard came out firing from the perimeter, showcasing an efficient catch-and-shoot game that’s become a dynamic weapon of his and knocking down 4 first-half 3’s. He continues to intrigue as a slasher as well, showing high-level flashes natural footwork and passing feel while his ball skills continue to develop. Having been more of a wing when we saw him in the past, it’s fair to consider Smith-Bey a true backcourt prospect at this point. He has multiple high-major offers already in tow and will have a strong case to rise in the next rankings update.

It wouldn’t shock me in the least if Smith-Bey ends up being the top-ranked prospect in this local 2028 pool. His combination of size, athleticism, and dominant two-way presence are all initial indicators that have you optimistic about what’s to come. Pair that with the continued progressions that have shown in his offensive game this season in a bigger role and it leads to you believe that the 6-foot-5 swiss army knife has an exceptional ceiling. St. John’s (DC) would beat Father Judge (PA) but 20 on Sunday while Smith-Bey finished with 10 points,

17p 1r 3a 1b 2s vs IMG

-Smith-Bey was aggressive from start to finish in a game where IMG shot a ridiculously high percentage from the field, not allowing the deficit to deter his efforts at both ends of the floor. Smith-Bey started things off by getting to the line, put pressure on the rim, hit a corner 3, and had a face cut from the corner for the and-1 lay at the rim. His best play of the game was a pro hop straight into a dunk on a defender in a meet-me-at-the-rim moment (found here). The offensive feel is coming along but the value that he brings defensively as a guy that can provide POA ball pressure, play passing lanes, and fight to front bigs without fouling makes him a super valuable piece for this Cadets group.

I’d invest a lot of stock into Smith-Bey having a breakout sophomore season. The 6-foot-5 forward brings an even bigger presence to the floor thanks to his length, defensive versatility, and overall instincts that seem to have him in the right place at the right time in almost any scenario. Already minted as one of the best defenders in the DMV regardless of class, Smith-Bey’s offensive development is trending in the right direction at a rapid rate. His best showing of the weekend came in their win over Spalding where he notched a game-high 20 points on 8-of-15 from the field and grabbed four rebounds. The outside shooting touch is still a work in progress, but his confidence attacking off the bounce along with his unselfish, maintenance approach playing off the ball and finding openings as a timely cutter are skills that will help translate to the highest of levels.

-Have loved seeing the strides that Smith-Bey has made this offseason as a hard-nosed guard that has refined his skillset nicely over the past few months. He has grown and put on weight to add to that growth spurt, but the most marked improvement is the offensive decisiveness with quick reads in the halfcourt as well as his catch and shoot ability from beyond the arc. LOVE the motor and sheer joy that he puts into making life absolutely miserable for whatever opponent he guards on a nightly basis while also showing the ability to serve as an effective helper in the halfcourt. I expect him to be at the nucleus of increased ball pressure that I think SJC will apply at the defensive end of the floor to jump out to early leads. But his consistency at the offensive end of the floor will be huge for a Cadets group that will need him to score on a nightly basis with the graduation/departure of several key pieces of the backcourt.