It has been a standard practice of the Phenom Hoop Report not to rank players in the freshman class (NC 2020 Class) until they have completed a full season of high school basketball at the varsity or junior varsity level. In the next several weeks, we will take a closer look at players we have seen repeatedly in camp setting or in travel ball situations. In this issue of the NC 2020 Class “The Stars of Tomorrow, “ we are going to talk about 6’5 Bennett Smith of Charlotte Latin.
Last year at the 12th Annual NC Junior Phenom Camp, Bennett Smith put an exclamation mark on a terrific performance that showcased an all around game. In our camp evaluation, we stated, “Bennett is blessed with excellent size and an advanced skill set. His game is simply beyond his year. Without question, Bennett can flat out hoop! He has all the ingredients, attributes, and intangibles to be a legit D1 prospect.”
His camp coach (Coach Carver) stated, “Bennett is a great talent and has a solid basketball IQ. He’s a leader and encourages his teammate. He can get inside position and finish strong at the rim.”
What makes Bennett special is his mobility and versatility. He can play multiple positions and has the opportunity to play from the perimeter or in the low post. In addition, he has excellent timing and has demonstrated a nice skill set on the defensive end of the court, especially at blocking shots. If he continues to grow and develop, Bennett has an opportunity to become a very special player.