RivalsHoops.com Scouts Joshua Smith

BACKGROUND:

Joshua Smith is a 6-foot-9, 210-pound small forward in a power forward’s body.

Smith resides in Powder Spring, Ga. where he preps at Mceachern High and plays summer ball for the Atlanta Celtics.

A rare combination of smooth perimeter skills and powerful inside skills land this rising star at No. 4 in the Rivals150.

Smith has numerous colleges coveting his skills. Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, North Carolina, and Syracuse are all in the hunt for Joshua if he opts for college instead of the NBA draft. All but Duke and North Carolina have offered scholarships.

MEYER’S ANALYSIS:

Smith’s dominating game begins with his ability to defend and rebound. He is quick off the floor when blocking shots and possesses outstanding instincts that get him quickly to the ball whether in the passing lane or off the glass.

However, what makes Joshua’s game so special is what he does with the ball once he gets it. There is no need for this big man to outlet, since he can explode up the court with either hand with surprising ease.

Once in the front court, he makes solid decisions with his ability to dish to either side. And of course, he is always capable of finishing himself. Not only can this lefty dunk with the best of them, but he can also glide to the basket and finish off the glass on either side before defenders are ready to challenge.

As formidable as his power and grace in the open court may be, his skills in the half court are also strong. With a quick dribble one direction and a spin the other way, Smith can score in the post. He is relentless on the offensive glass as well.

He will also catch defenders off guard by stepping out and knocking down the long ball with a smooth shooting stroke. When he puts it on the floor, he does an outstanding job locating the open man as he is swarmed by defenders.

He does, however, need to improve his mid-range pull up and consistency at the free throw line. Based on his desire and work ethic during competition, he will certainly improve these areas of his game in short time.

RIVALS.COM RATING SCOUTING INDEX:

As of now, prior to the July evaluation period, Smith scores a 6.0 | 6.1 (PR | UR) on the new Rivals Ratings Scouting Index.

VIDEO LIBRARY:

Click here to enter the Rivals.com Video Library to see clips of Smith in action.

Jerry Meyer serves as National Scout and Recruiting Analyst for RivalsHoops.com. Meyer is college basketball's all-time career assist leader, playing for Lipscomb University. He earned Mr. Basketball honors in the state of Tennessee as a high school junior and senior. Meyer has served as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt and also co-authored the book, Basketball Skills and Drills. His first-hand knowledge of the game at both the high school and college level will serve him well in his new position with Rivals.com.