On the final day of the early signing period Buzz Williams went back to a Marquette stronghold, Chicago's south suburbs, to land 6'0" guard Reggie Smith of Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Ill.
Smith joins guard Vander Blue and forward Jamail Jones in Marquette's incoming 2010 freshman class. As a junior Smith averaged 18 points and five rebounds per game. Last season Thornton Township High School finished in 3rd place at the Illinois State Championships compiling 29-1 record.
Smith is ranked as the 105th overall player in the 2010 class by Rivals.com. The guys at Illinois Prep Bullseye wrote up a fine recap of Smith including a look at other prospects MU is pursuing in the Chicago area.
Despite his size Smith is not a true point guard though he figures to be at least a combo guard at MU. If nothing else, Smith is an athletic freak -- check out this video:
With Smith and Blue hitting campus in the fall, MU is well-equipped to replace seniors David Cubillan and Maurice Acker. Reggie Smith also provides some level of protection should Junior Cadougan fail to fully recover from his Achilles tendon injury.
Smith is the latest in a long line of guards from Chicago's South Side who have found their way to Marquette including Dwyane Wade, Jerel McNeal and Maurice Acker.
I like this signing. This is the type of pick that we may look back on in a couple of years and marvel that he wasn't ranked higher. Guys with hops are unique. Most players have to be molded in college anyway. His ceiling is so much higher than guys like Acker or Cubillan from day one.
ReplyDeleteHis rejection in the video was SICK. Dominic James-type hops.
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