Smiths Recruitment Taking Shape
J.R. Smith, a physical 6-5, 220 pound shooting guard/swingman from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, N.J., has a who's who of high major programs courting him this winter.
Rivalshoops.com caught Smith in action on Wednesday as he scored 12 points in a 71-63 victory over the Lawrenceville School.
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Following the game, SBP Head Coach Danny Hurley told Rivalshoops.com that North Carolina, N.C. State, Pittsburgh, UConn, Villanova, Miami and Rutgers are the schools that have been in the most consistent contact with him regarding Smith.
In fact, assistant coaches from both Rutgers and Pitt were on hand at Wednesday's game at St. Benedict's.
While Smith erupted on the national scene last spring and summer playing for Jim Salmon's vaunted Playaz program, his first year at St. Benedict's has been a bit of an adjustment.
"He's a guy who is still learning how to be a good basketball player," Hurley said. "Before he got to us, he was a 30 point per game scorer, but with us, he has to do other things."
"He has to defend, he has to rebound, so his focus isn't on offense as much as it used to be," Hurley continued. "He has to learn how to be a high level contributor."
Smith was a junior last year at Lakewood H.S. in Central New Jersey, but reclassified upon transferring into St. Benedict's. At Lakewood, he was the centerpiece, whereas at St. Benedict's, he has to share the ball with several other Division I level prospects.
"People that don't really watch the game count up his points at the end and figure out how good he played," Hurley pointed out. "But coaches at the college level that watch and think about how they are going to win games can see the progress he's made."
"He's always been able to score," Hurley continued. "But he's learning to do other things."
Rivalshoops.com will have a bit more later on Smith, including an in-depth Q&A with the talented scorer, so keep it here for the top coverage of the Class of 2004.