Smith Stands Out at Dell Curry

One of the key ingredients to Lauriburg Institute’s run to the championship game at the Dell Curry Shootout was the play of the backcourt. Avery Smith, a 6-foot-2, 165 pound point guard from Milwaukee, WI, in only his first year for the traditionally strong program in North Carolina, is making his presence felt immediately. Just ask his teammates.

“Avery just changes everything,” Laurinburg Institute’s Hatila DeSouza said through a translator. “He opens the floor up for the other guards and us inside. I’m glad he is here.”

In any language, Smith is making believers at the collegiate level with his solid ball skills, confident shooting, tight defense and amazing court vision. The point guard transferred to Laurinburg from Washington HS in Milwaukee. The move has been extremely beneficial, Smith says.

“It’s the best thing that has happened for me. At my old school, I wasn’t really getting that much exposure,” Smith said.

Smith said only St. Louis, Northern Iowa, and “some smaller DI schools in North Carolina” have shown interest but after his stellar play at last week in Charlotte, that list is sure to grow. Plus, Smith said he would likely make the move to prep school next season. With that move and with games like he had at the Dell Curry, Smith has all of the tools to become a hot commodity in the class of 2005.

Smith said he doesn’t know where he will play next season but he does know the positives of taking an extra year to improve in the classroom and the hardwood.

“My recruiting stock needs to go up and I think it will if I go to a prep school,” Smith said. “I know I can contend with the other top guards out there on the circuit. The move will be real positive.”

He will suit up for the Runnin’ Rebels again on the AAU circuit after the Laurinburg season comes to an end.