Programs lining up for Smith Jr.
It's an embarrassment of riches at Seattle's Rainier Beach High School.
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A little over six months ago, the Vikings were smarting from an 8-point loss to Findlay Prep in the Dick's Sporting Goods High School National Tournament. Softening the blow, however, was the knowledge that arguably the City's top 2016 player Keith Smith Jr., was transferring over from Franklin High.
Buzz surrounding Rivals' No. 59 ranked player is nothing new.
Smith's father, Keith Sr., grew up dominating the blacktop in Southern California. An illustrious prep career at West Covina led him to Loyola Marymount where, from 1982-86, he was a three-time, first-team all-conference selection. He set the school's single season scoring record as a junior and a year later, was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round.
So when Keith Jr. started showing up at open gyms several years ago, it didn't take long for Division-I coaches to clue in. Washington, Oregon State, Oregon, California, and San Diego State are just a few of the west coast schools to have offered, while less close to home, Virginia, UConn, Louisville, and Kansas have also gotten involved.
"We've heard from everybody and their mom about wanting us to come for a visit," joked Smith Sr. to Rivals.
This past weekend, the family traveled south to Oregon and Oregon State, and both made compelling pitches.
"We went up to Oregon on Saturday and met with the coaches outside the arena… Coach Altman is a great guy: genuine. He was real honest about some of the things that have gone on up there and how they're trying to move in another direction"
Smith Sr., too, liked what he saw from the Ducks, noting the electric game-day atmosphere and a student body clearly immersed in its athletics.
"They were chanting at Keith to come to Oregon."
A day later, it was on to Corvallis where Gregg Gottlieb greeted the family with a tour of the new practice facility and afterword met up with Head Coach Wayne Tinkle, Kerry Rupp, and Stephen Thompson.
"I guess Coach Tinkle actually took a recruiting trip to LMU when my dad was there," said Keith Jr. "And he and Coach Thompson know each other from growing up playing in Southern California… All the coaches are really down to earth and genuine. It's the starting of a good relationship."
Another program to keep an eye on is the Cal Bears. Coach Yanni Hufnagel has been communicating with the 3.9gpa student frequently, and joined the aforementioned programs in stopping by to see Smith Jr. earlier this week.
Of course, no Seattle-based player is going to escape the attention of Lorenzo Romar. Washington is the only other school than Oregon State and Oregon to have had the 4-Star prospect on campus.
"Like I tell Lorenzo, 'you've got the home court advantage,'" said Smith Sr. "I've known Lorenzo for over 25-years and Keith has been going to his camps since he was 4 or 5-years old."
"I would love ultimately for him to stay on the west coast," added Senior. "But we want him to do whatever will make him happiest."
To be sure, there's no shortage of options for the 6-7 leaper. More than a dozen programs have offered scholarships and all have spelled out multiple ways of featuring him.
"I can play the 1, 2, or 3," said Smith Jr. "Coaches like my versatility and that they can put me on different spots on the floor."
Whichever program does land Smith Jr. will be getting a player who demands and expects the most from himself.
"If Keith doesn't play up to his standards, he can be a bear to deal with," laughs dad. "He bleeds and breathes basketball."