Win/win situation for Smith

It came down to two Pac-10 schools, but five-star prospect Josh Smith has known for a while which school was a win/win situation for him.

The 6-foot-10, 270-pound center from Covington (Wash.) Kentwood High School has chosen UCLA over local option Washington.

"Josh liked UCLA because of the coaching staff, the thought process of developing a big man and the tradition of the school," said Smith's father Earnest Smith. "He also liked the teammates and the players that are committed to go there. It is away from home, also, so he will have a chance to grow up some as a man."

Smith, however, won't be that far from family. The mother's side of his family is from Los Angeles, and Earnest Smith's oldest son attends USC.

The No. 19-ranked prospect in the Rivals150, Smith hopes to follow in the footsteps of Kevin Love and the other big men greats who have played for the storied program.

Smith joins four-star guard Tyler Lamb in the UCLA 2010 recruiting class.

Josh Smith scouting report:

Blessed with superb hands, Smith gobbles up rebounds and scores efficiently around the basket. Quick off the floor for his size, Smith is also a strong shot blocker and positional defender. His challenge is to maintain his conditioning and consistently play with a competitive motor.