At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from'North Carolina'went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today's edition will highlight'Lovell Smith of Winston-Salem Christian.'

We've seen Smith numerous times with Winston-Salem Christian's Post Grad squad, where we stated, 'If production and/or leadership still hold merit amongst college coaches, then Lovell Smith should have way more action within his recruitment. From the immediate glance, he possesses a long, physical frame with IQ, skill, and obvious athleticism. Smith regularly stepped up as the undisputed all-around leader of this group, but also displayed the understanding and willingness to set up and defer to his teammates whenever necessary. He's able to apply scoring pressure from all three levels, and typically looks to take advantage of what the opposition gives him as opposed to forcing the action. Smith is also capable of being a defensive menace, showing the tools to block shots and force turnovers against multiple positions. Between his production, body of work, and continued upside, Smith should have obvious appeal for a ton of different programs. '

Since then, Smith has only continued to generate buzz surrounding his name. However, it's still somewhat confusing as to why Smith doesn't have far more going on within his recruitment process. He's a tough, skilled, athletic wing process with the all-around leadership and skillset to dominate opponents on either end of the floor. Smith displays a quality feel for the game, and possesses the ability to carry the offensive load for extended stretches. He's an efficient scoring option from all levels, but also draws fouls and converts free-throws at a steady rate. Smith also defends multiple positions, rebounds the ball at a strong rate, and makes a constant impact in transition. He would be an asset for a variety of scholarship-level programs.