Smith impressing as a freshman
THE RIVALS150: Class of 2014 - Class of 2015
Rivals.com saw a very talented Southern Stampede AAU team at the recent March
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Magic event in Orlando, Fla. Several players on their 16U team are getting
Division I recruiting interest, but one player stood out amongst his teammates.
Jatarious Smith, a freshman guard at E.E. Smith High School in
Fayetteville, N.C. has extraordinary skills, showing NBA three-point range,
ability beat defenders off the dribble and attack the rim, elite passing skills
and the toughness to take the bump and finish through contact. In other words,
he could be the next big thing to come out of North Carolina.
"I've known J.J. for about four years," said Southern Stampede assistant coach
Rasheed Wesley. "He's a great kid, gets along well with my family like he's one
of us. My first impression of him was outstanding due to his respect he showed
and his mannerisms. He's a yes sir, no sir and thank you kid. He'll play on our
17U team at EYBL events but at non-EYBL events if our 17s aren't playing he'll
play for our 16U team. He played 17U at the age of 12 when he was with D-One
Sports."
The 6-foot-4, 195-pound shooting guard is already receiving mail from Western
currently only allowed to send questionnaires, camp brochures and NCAA
educational information to high school freshmen. One school that Smith said he
has yet to receive mail from but would like to is Kentucky.
"I like coach Calipari and I like their dribble drive offense," Smith said."
Make no mistake; you'll be reading about and watching mix tape videos of Smith.
He is a big time prospect.
Russ Wood is the basketball recruiting analyst for
InsideTheGators.com. You
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