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FROSH PROFILE: JOSH SMITH

Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstars.com
January 28, 2011

Moving to the West, the struggles of UCLA have overshadowed somewhat the improving play of freshman center Josh Smith. The native of Seattle has battled severe weight issues his entire career but now is in better condition and is beginning to blossom under the tutelage of Ben Howland.

Though not exactly at a stat-sheet darling at this point in his career, Smith has raised his averages to 10 points and seven rebounds per game for the gradually improving Bruins, and he’s now shooting 54 percent from the field. And given that he’s still growing into his body and learning how to be a high-level competitive athlete, Smith’s long-term potential is obvious.

Smith’s greatest asset as a player obviously is his size, but he also possesses elite hands. Typically, big men with sure mitts of that caliber tend to have a high ceiling as scorers. Time will tell whether Smith will maintain the focus needed to achieve consistency, but the results have to be considered encouraging so far.