Smiths Workouts Filled With Visitors

They keep coming. Today, North Carolina sent an assistant coach to scout Earl "J.R." Smith, a powerful and athletic recruit from St. Benedict's High School in New Jersey. As most UNC fans know, the Tar Heels lead for this very talented swingman who also is a good football player as well.

When we last spoke to Smith, he told us that Duke had climbed behind North Carolina in his recruiting race. But Smith has always maintained the Heels are the school to beat right now in his recruiting process.

Smith said Maryland is third while Florida is now in fourth place. Seton Hall, Rutgers, Villanova, and Connecticut are also involved seriously.

Smith said he plans on making a decision before next summer. And UNC has made sure to show their love as much as they can as have the other programs battling hard for Smith.

Smith, a 6-5, 220 pound swingman originally from Lakewood H.S. in Lakewood, N.J., is an immediate impact player who can score from the wing and thump a dunk in transition. He has improved his game quite a bit over the past couple of seasons. He is currently ranked as the third best player in the 2004 class by RivalsHoops.com.