North Carolina Recruit Displays Skills

With his commitment to North Carolina firmly tucked away, JR Smith's explosiveness was on display Sunday at the IS8 League in New York City.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound senior wing guard/wing forward from St. Benedict's High School in Newark, New Jersey, showed off the athleticism and versatility that made him one of the more coveted prospects out of the class of 2004. After a morning game that saw him swoop and swivel for all kinds of athletic and powerful finishes, Smith wowed the crowd with some thunderous finishes in the evening session, crunching a dunk off the break over a defender, tossing down a double-pump slam, and in general attacking the rim with a wreckless abandon. With terrific body control and explosiveness, Smith fairly demoralized the Tim Thomas Playaz' opponents with his finishes.

After the second game, Smith checked in with Rivalshoops.com to give us an idea of what he was doing in preparation for the ACC.

"I'm doing a lot of ball-handling drills and defensive drills," said Smith. "And I'm working on my strength."

With regards to his college decision, Smith is glad to have the pressures of his recruitment behind him.

"It feels good to get(the decision) off my chest," said Smith.

No doubt Smith will be tested in adjusting to major conference play, its added intensity and his opponents' athleticism. No doubt, however, that North Carolina fans and college basketball fans in general are going to marvel at Smith's athleticism and developing package of skills at the next level.

Rivals.com ranks Smith No. 14 on the Rivals150 list and the second best small forward in the class of 2004.