Roscoe Smith still considering three
Words. Jason Jordan
Oak Hill Academy (Va.) swingman Roscoe Smith is a hot commodity. He’s 6-7 with an accurate jump shot, a steady handle, effective driving ability and a motor that won’t be denied.
The best part?
With the early signing period in the books, Smith is the best available senior option on the wing. Oh, to be wanted…
“He’s got a lot of schools interested, but he’s already narrowed it down,” said Oak Hill coach Steve Smith. “It’s UConn, Duke and Georgetown. That’s his final three. He’ll make an impact wherever he goes.”
Smith, the No. 17-rated prospect in the High School Hoop top 50, has wasted little time making an impact this season, averaging 19 points, 6.7 rebounds and four blocks per game for the undefeated Warriors.
Even more impressive is his efficiency from the floor: 58 percent from the field and 45 percent from the three-point line.
“That (scoring) average would be a lot higher, but he’s playing with five or six other D-1 guys,” said Steve Smith. “He’s just a great talent. His shooting mechanics are great and he gets to the rim whenever he wants to. He’s very coachable and he loves practice. He just loves to compete.”
We caught up with Roscoe and chatted about everything from being the No. 2 option at Duke to when he plans to decide:
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HighSchoolHoop: So we’ve got Georgetown, Connecticut and Duke, right?
Roscoe Smith: Yep, that’s the list.
HSH: No chance anyone else could get involved?
RS: No. I narrowed it all down for good a few weeks ago.
HSH: And all three have offered?
RS: Yes.
HSH: So everyone knows that you were solid with Connecticut and Georgetown, but Duke made Harrison Barnes priority No. 1, even though you had an offer. How did that affect you?
RS: Well, I had the offer for a while and they wanted both of us to come there, but he ended up going to UNC so that kind of messed their plans up. I know how the game works. I knew that he was their main guy, and I wasn’t offended at all. I know it’s a business, so it doesn’t bother me at all that they made him their first priority. Not at all. It’s just like how Georgetown and UConn made me their first priority, which means somebody was the second priority. I get it, and it doesn’t hurt Duke’s chances with me.
HSH: So Duke has picked things up with you as of late?
RS: Yes. I talked to Coach K right after Harrison Barnes committed to North Carolina. I mean, right after. He was basically talking about the decision and how effective I can be in the Duke offense and things like that. The things he’s told me all along. They came down here to see me personally a few weeks ago.
HSH: Did that make you feel more wanted?
RS: It didn’t make me feel more wanted. I feel like he wanted me anyway. I know that they’ve always wanted me.
HSH: So what’s your next move as far as your recruitment is concerned?
RS: Well, we’re trying to set up a visit with Duke, but my schedule with my high school team is so hectic. I’m gonna try and plan it in the near future, though.
HSH: You’ve taken official visits to Connecticut and Georgetown?
RS: Yeah, and I visited Duke unofficially on my way up here to Oak Hill. I got a good feel for them, but it would be nice to take a visit there.
HSH: So you’re not waiting to get that last official in before making a decision?
RS: No, because I’ve seen them all so it really doesn’t matter. I know all of their styles, and I’m just deciding where I can fit in at.
HSH: So what are some of the biggest factors you’re pondering?
RS: Well, like I said, I know all of their styles of play and I know they’re all good academic schools. I would like to know about the students and the campus life. I want to know how I fit in with the students at the campus because I don’t want to go somewhere where I’ll be bored on campus. It’s a lot of stuff that goes into this decision.
HSH: Understood. Do you think that you could decide soon?
RS: It’s a real possibility.
HSH: From your perspective what will you bring to whatever school you choose?
RS: I’ll bring intensity and hard work. I’ll bring even more toughness. I feel like I can bring a lot.
Watch Smith do work:
Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com
Great interview. When did you do this interview?
HOYAS BABY!!! FORGET DUKE… YOU WILL BE THE MAN AT G TOWN, BIG MAN ON CAMPUS(BMOC)… CALL JEFF GREEN SEE WHAT HE THINKS HAHA!
NOT TO MENTION BIG EAST BASKETBALL! BEST CONFERENCE IN THE COUNTRY! STAY HOME BECOME A HOYA PUT ALL THIS TO BED..
Roscoe,
You only need one thing to complete you game,that is a Duke uniform. You are a STUD!!! You are as good as any SF in High School. Come to Duke and show Carolina that you are the better of the two (Harrison and you).
Wow it is amazing how whimpy Duke fans are. You guys lost out on Barnes and now you act like you did not care. LOL. I know as a Carolina fan if we lost out on Barnes I would have cared a great deal and would have lamented a great deal. I do not gloat about victories on the court or off nor do I smell of sour grapes. I hope this kid does go to Duke because Duke needs him. Besides both of them are 1 and done. The best think about Coach K is that he is a Republican.
Roscoe,
Bring it on to Duke big fella! We need someone that can not only take down UNC, but also look at the big picture, which is getting back to the final 4. Good luck and we hope to see you in Durham, NC soon.
Damn is rhe jornalist a Dook fan or something? He keep going back 2 dook. Is he trying to influence his decision?
Roscoe,
You will have only sucess if you come to Duke. Our class next year will be one of the top in the nation, if not the most solid with Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, the Plumlees, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins. If you want a national championship then come on to Durham. Help us pound the hated tarholes into the ground and show them we own the ACC!
GO DUKE!!!
Roscoe .. Play 2nd fiddle to no-one – Stay home and join the family that will support you from day one and best prepares you for the league. There’s a reason JTIII/staff has made you our 1# priority since your soph. yr .. WE WANT YOU ON THE HILLTOP!!
If he picks Duke it won’t be because of their “campus life.” I’m from Durham, and that campus is as dead as a doornail, well for an African-American inner city male that is…. Maybe Roscoe is into “goth!”
your probably a tarheel fan just not wanting him to go to duke.
Rosco,
UCONN is perfect for you because you will definately start and enjoy the night life.
Roscoe ..Play 2nd fiddle to no 1 ! There’s a reason JTIII/Staff have made you our #1 priority since your soph yr .. WE WANT YOU ON THE HILLTOP..besides a great education , we will best prepare you for the next level. .. come join the family and keep the DMV tradition strong .. stay home where your fam can see you play often .. WE WANT YOU HERE ROSCOE .. (why do my comments keep getting erased?smh .. typical)
gdawg says:
November 23, 2009 at 3:29 pm
your probably a tarheel fan just not wanting him to go to duke.
Reply
gdawg, I’m just stating the facts having been raised here in Durham. If the wants “campus life” then Duke isn’t the place for him, not as a young African-American male. I personally could care less which team of the three he commits to.
Roscoe… you don’t want to be bored? Then Georgetown is the only option!
I am from Connecticut (grew up a Huskies fan), and was a last minute decision as an undergraduate student selecting Georgetown over Duke. The one word to describe Durham, NC is ‘terrible’. You would fit in perfectly at Georgetown, and everyone on campus is praying that you sign with us. Go Hoyas
Duke is one of the premier schools in the country. Being a Duke fan, all the other schools can go to hell. Georgetown & Uconn are nothing. If you are a 1 & done as people say come to Duke and make that 1 year worth something.
[...] in November, we got up with Roscoe Smith to talk about his list of UConn, Duke and Georgetown, and this past Friday, the 6-foot-8 senior from Baltimore (who currently attends Oak Hill Academy) [...]
First of all, let me congratulate you on a great high school career. Also, I’d like to wish you well whichever path you choose. I personally would love to see you attend Duke University. I know most of us “fans” don’t usually know what we’re talking about, (and I’m no exception), and it’s up to you to decide what is best for YOU. But take a look at what Coach Kryzewski has done for a group of somewhat underathletic, (Don’t get me wrong, I love these guys and what they’ve acheived), somewhat underskilled young guys. He’s turned them into winners. Coach K’s intensity is where all that begins. If you’re good, he’ll make you better. And everything he teaches you, you can apply that in your life as well as the court. Eleven final fours, and Three National Championships says ALOT. I do hope you read this, and your school selections thus far are all elite programs, and I’m sure you’ll excel wherever you go.