2007 Nolan Smith Names Three

When Rivals.com publishes its initial rankings for the class of 2007, Nolan Smith is one name that will be near the top. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound combo guard from St John’s College High School in Landover, Md., had a very strong summer, leading the DC Assault 16-under team to championships in the AAU Nationals and the adidas Super 64. Although it is very early in his career, Smith named three schools that have his attention.

“Right now I like Louisville, Duke, and Syracuse,” said Smith. “It is early and I am open to other schools, but those are the three I like right now.”

Smith’s father, the late Derek Smith, starred at Louisville during his college career, and the Cardinals just might have the upper hand in Smith’s recruitment.

“I would like to follow in my father’s footsteps at Louisville,” said Smith.

Basketball fans in Louisville should have a chance to watch Smith play during the high school season. Plans are in the works for Smith’s St. John’s team to square off against the No. 2 ranked player in the class of 2006 Brandan Wright and his Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy team in a Martin Luther King Holiday event in Louisville.

Smith, who averaged 10 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals during his freshman high school season, is a complete player with the full range of combo guard skills. He is more of a smooth athlete than an explosive athlete, but he can finish at the rim against traffic as well as score points in a multitude of ways from the outside. He can also has the skills and basketball mind to be a very effective point guard. Lacking any glaring weaknesses, his foot speed on the defensive side of the ball could use improvement.