Oak Hills Alex Smith commits

One of Coach Steve Smith's rotating trio of starting post players on the No. 1 nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy Warriors, Alex Smith, has committed to a Colonial Conference school.

While away from Mouth of Wilson, Va., on holiday break, Greenville, S.C., resident, 6-foot-6, 235-pound, center/forward Alex Smith called Coach Tony Shaver, and committed to his William & Mary basketball program.

Rivals.com spoke with Alex, and his father, Dr. Desmond Smith, today, and they confirmed his decision. "I had narrowed my college choices to William & Mary and James Madison," said Alex Smith. "And, I really liked both schools. However, I have family living in the Williamsburg area, and I was very impressed with the academics at William & Mary."

"I think that I can play a lot next year for Coach Shaver's program," said Smith.

Alex was also being recruited by Furman, Winthrop, Columbia, Colgate, South Florida, Arkansas-Little Rock, and Lehigh in addition to his two finalists.

This season Smith is in a three-player rotation, along with SMU-signee, 6-foot-11 Bamba Fall, and unsigned 6-foot-eight David Palmer, at the post position for Coach Steve Smith. In the games that I have watched, the physically imposing, aggressive Alex Smith has been the most effective.

Last year as a junior at J.L. Mann High School in Greenville, Alex averaged 19 points, and 14 rebounds, and was a South Carolina First-Team All-State player.

Smith will resume classes at Oak Hill Academy on January 10. The Warriors next scheduled game will be at home against the Australian National Team on January 12.

In my opinion Coach Shaver and the Indians have landed a fine basketball prospect, and an even more outstanding young man in Alex Smith.