Prior to last year's 17-16 mark, St. Joseph Notre Dame had had six consecutive 24 plus win seasons. For the Pilots to return to that win total, they will need to be as smooth as Jade Smith.
The No. 4 ranked player in the NCP 2017 basketball class averaged 11.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in his sophomore campaign. Smith has been playing basketball since the 5th grade and has been a varsity contributor since his freshman year.
Smith is one of the top prospects in his Northern California class and can raise his visibility and stock on the national level while playing with Under Armour league member, Team Superstar, during the summer season.
Team Superstar Coach Grady Dodson says, "Jadé's strengths are his command of the game, ability to control the flow, and making his teammates better. He is like another coach on the floor."
As a sophomore, Smith's Pilot went 3-7 in the competitive Tri-County League. The 6-foot-3 and 172 pounds prospect has ideal point guard height, size, and quickness. On the court, he allows the game to flow naturally to him, as he does not force the issue. His size and length helps him to gather rebounds and to be disruptive on perimeter defense.
Coach Dodson's thoughts of him at the NCAA level, "He is going to be a high major player. Jadé is a complete player. He has a high Basketball IQ, has a driven motor, and is a true point guard who can score."
These strong basketball attributes have not gone unnoticed. Montana, Nevada, New Mexico State, and San Diego State have offered Smith while Cal, Fresno State, and San Jose State are on the radar.
Smith overcame a kneecap injury from February to play solidly on the Under Armour circuit with the Team Super 16U club this past summer. Smith currently has a 3.20 GPA and considers Science to be his best subject, as he wants to major in Sports Medicine.
Watch for the Pilots to be running smoothly in the fall with Smith in Alameda, Calif.
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