If it was not for the NBA's fairly new draft age rule, players like Josh Smith would have their eyes on preparing for the NBA draft not having to worry about making the decision of what college to play basketball for. Now big-time high school players must pick a school among a premium crop. I mean, really, how do you pick between UW, UCLA, UCONN, North Carolina, and Duke?
Currently facing this dilemma is Josh Smith. Smith is perhaps the most heralded national recruit from the Seattle area since Spencer Hawes. Smith is widely regarded as the number one or number two power forward in the recruiting class of 2010. He is even considered by some to be the best overal player out of the Class of 2010.
Unlike Brandon Roy, Nate Robinson, or Terrence Williams, Smith goes to school outside of the city of Seattle at Kentwood High School. But getting enough exposure has never been a problem for Smith.
He stars on one of the top AAU teams in the nation, Seattle Rotary Style. On this team he plays with two other UW recruits in Gary Bell and Tony Wroten, along with a handful of players that are being recruited by top programs in the country.
Smith is a big deal. And I am not just talking about his physical stature (I mean, he is No. 1 in our rankings) . Rumors have been flying around that Smith has his choice narrowed down to two schools, either UW or UCLA.
Some have even claimed that he is set on UCLA. However, Smith has shot down these rumors by saying he currently likes all the schools that have offered him. He plans on making visits in August and then making his final decision. Besides UCLA and UW; Texas, Louisville, UCONN, Kentucky, and UNC are all in the hunt for Smith.
Without a doubt, Josh Smith is Romar's number one recruiting priority. Smith knows that Romar wants him, and Romar has shown his dedication to Smith by attending every possible game he could to watch Smith play.
In that regard, Ben Howland and UCLA are at a disadvantage. Romar has had face to face conversations with Smith consistently the past year and a half. Of course Smith is facing pressure to stay home, but he does not seem like the type of person that can be too strongly swayed by his peers.
