Published May 2, 2003
Top 5 Player Says College Over NBA
Russ Blake
RivalsHoops.com Recruiting Analyst
Joshua Smith, a 6-foot-9, 211-pound combo forward from McEachern H.S. in Powder Springs, Ga., told RivalsHoops.com that he is leaning towards attending college out of high school.
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"I am probably going to go to college first," Smith said. "I want to improve my game, get stronger and be eventually prepared for the NBA. I am a good player but there are still things that I need to work on."
When asked if Carmelo Anthony's freshman year at Syracuse had any impact on his thinking, he said it did a bit. Anthony pondered going straight to the NBA out of high school last year, but used a terrific national title run at Syracuse this winter to boost his draft stock into the high lottery area.
Smith, who is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2004, played with the Atlanta Celtics this past weekend at the Charlie Weber DC Capitol Invitational.
Many colleges have come in this spring to take a look at Smith. He said that Indiana, Florida State, Louisiana State, Kentucky and Georgia are among his top early choices who have been through McEachern recently. Alabama, another SEC program, was slated to come in this week and visit Smith at his high school.