Hometown: Vallejo, CA
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 250
Position: Power Forward/Center
Team: Fresno State
Class: Sophomore
Strengths
Right-handed… This developing low-post presence is still an under-the-radar prospect, but could end up being a first-round pick by the end of the year. He plays as big as his size- about 6'10", 250 or so pounds and hits the offensive glass hard to create offensive opportunities for himself. His best aspect may be his ability to finish around the rim, which will definitely be needed even more so this season without wingman Paul George by his side to stretch the defense and prevent them from collapsing on this big man. But without George, Smith will be able to show his impressive physical stature who can handle the load… His physical strength and athleticism can turn heads. He moves extremely well for a man of his size, creating opportunities for himself down low, but also at the foul line… He has big, soft hands, a wide frame and is still probably growing. He should become even more powerful down low as Smith continues to learn the game and develop a wider-array of post moves… He does his best work down low on the blocks. He scores off of spin moves to the baseline or drop steps in a similar fashion. He can use either hand to finish around the rim. Smith's face-up game is a work in progress… His defense is still a head of his offense. Smith is a solid, and still-developing shot blocker, with some quickness to poke the ball away from an opposing big man and end up with the steal…
Weaknesses
He can create contact and draw fouls, but he converts on less than 60% of these opportunities at the free-throw line… Improvement on the glass is also a must for Smith. His rebounding numbers were down as a freshman, but to ensure a first-round guarantee with his size and athleticism, Smith either must become more aggressive on the glass or capitalize without Sylvester Seay and George around… Smith needs to cut down on his turnovers. Too often he is limited by three, four, five missed opportunities a game that are the result of turning the ball over. He averaged more than two per game in his first-year, but had some stretches of games with poor decisions and a loose handle…
