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 Ethan Smith of High Point Christian Academy.
We've covered Smith a lot over the last two years, including prior to the season, where we stated, 'In all honesty, Ethan Smith feels like the type of kid that every Division III program should be pursuing. It's unclear why more schools aren't involved with a smart, skilled 6-foot-7 forward with knockdown shooting capabilities. Given his production last season with High Point Christian, one would've already expected various programs to extend offers. Alas, the lack of recruitment up to this point should only make his inevitable blow-up that much more enjoyable. Smith seems fairly obvious to be a primary option for the Cougars this season, especially after the departures of KJ Garrett and Thomas McIntosh. He possesses vision, rebounding ability, and flashes of perimeter skill, but his elite floor-spacing is arguably what separates him from others.' Later followed by, 'Albeit an up-and-down showing for everyone involved, Smith still arguably shined as the top performer for either team. He was an obvious focal point from the opening tip, spacing the floor, making smart passes, and showing the ability to make plays for himself and others within two or three purposeful dribbles. Smith was active in the Cougars offense from start to finish, and justifiably so, as he consistently found ways to be a reliable scoring option from all levels. He's a steady two-way rebounder and positions himself effectively on defense. Smith should only continue to accumulate college opportunities throughout the season.'
Since then, Smith has only continued to maintain his status as a nightly leader for the Cougars. Although he's an excellent floor-spacer, he certainly does a lot more than just spot-up along the arc. Smith is quite skilled for his size/position and can cause mismatches through his blend of IQ, vision, and overall adaptability. He's able to post-up or attack closeouts as needed, where he's a capable finisher and decision-maker. Smith battles for rebounds, defends nicely in the paint, and will alter his approach if shots aren't falling. He's proven to be a major leader and x-factor for this group, and should be a priority for various different programs.
