2008 Peach State guard elevating his game

Class of 2008 prospect Tanner Smith knew his time to shine was now and the 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard from Wesleyan High School in Norcross, Ga., took advantage of the AAU circuit.

"Man, this spring helped me a ton," Smith said. "It was big time."

Smith was pretty big time himself at key moments for his Georgia Stars 16 and under team. The class of 2008 guard was the backcourt scoring option for his club en route to the championship game at last weekend's Wallace Prather Memorial Classic.

In the Stars' championship run at the Boo Williams Invitational, Smith connected on a number of long balls against a very talented South Carolina Ravens 16U team. His 23 points helped claim the tourney title.

Smith's game is transforming. Known primarily as a perimeter player with good basketball instincts, Smith is putting the ball on the floor and scoring off the dribble and drive.

"I've definitely improved my handle. Hands down, that has been what has helping me," he said. "I used to be scared to take the ball to the hole because I've never been too good at it. But if you want to be good, you have to improve your weaknesses."

College coaches are starting to notice the improvements. Since the start of April, Smith said he has heard from Auburn, Oregon, Tennessee, Northwestern and Rice.

Plenty more are looking and have Smith on the evaluate list for the summer. Mix his overall feel for the game, improved quickness and offensive flexibility and impressive academic credentials, the rising junior is doing his part to transfer his name from the mid-major must-get list to the high-major gotta-see category.

And Smith is taking full advantage every tournament he plays in.