Recruiting heats up for Mullins basketball prodigy Eric Smith

By Naeem McFadden
Marion Star & Mullins Enterprise Reporter
Published: May 16, 2008

Mullins Sophomore point guard Eric Smith is focused. You can see it in eyes before he pulls up and nails a three pointer over an opponents stretched out hand. You can see it in his eyes when he cradles the basketball through the lane absorbing multiple swipes and finishing with a layup. It’s written on his face when he shields determined defenders away from basketball when the pressure is on. He’ll tell you so himself before he walks out to midcourt awaiting tip-off. “By me playing varsity since seventh grade, I am used to all the pressures that come with playing varsity basketball. Nothing is new to me. In tight situations, I’m not nervous because I’ve been in plenty of tight situations throughout my career,” Smith said.
Smith has to be focused, because the goals he’s reaching for are shared by a number of individuals, and it’s a requirement when you’re a competitor. So when you see him attending classes everyday, head in the books, or on the gym floor every afternoon shooting hundreds of jumpshots, and running hours of drills, rest assure that he’s focused every step of the way.
Basketball is similar to boxing in one aspect…. you have to fight your way to the top. That’s why for the past four years after the high school basketball season, Smith has been traveling the country taking on the toughest competition the nation has to offer in AAU basketball, and college programs are taking notice of a kid that is standing out among the top of the 2010 recruiting class. “Things have been going pretty good since the season ended. We really didn’t take too much time off,” Smith said. After a 24-1 season, the experiences just keep getting better for the star. “People around Mullins are already excited about next season! I’m very proud of my team! Even though we didn’t go all the way, we did big things last year. It’s not easy to have a perfect regular season record of 21-0.”
Both USC new head coach Darrin Horn and Clemson coach Oliver Purnell recently paid a visit to Smith at Mullins High School. The two coaches got a good look at Smith while he displayed his shooting and ball handling skills. “We want to start in state, we want the best players in the state that fit our needs to come to South Carolina,” said Horn, who added it would be a priority for the program. Horn was an assistant coach at Marquette which landed NBA superstar Dewayne Wade along with a final four appearance.
The process hasn’t been nerve-wracking for the kid either. “The recruiting process is very exciting for me. I’m still a kid. But it feels good to know that I have colleges interested in me. The process is pretty cool right now but I know its going to get crazy over the next two years. But I think I’m handling it pretty well, he said.
Clemson broke out the gates early on the recruiting trail offering the prospect a scholarship during his Freshman year. Horn and USC made their scholarship offer this two weeks ago after the visit. Virginia Tech and Oklahoma have made visits to the school as well. Smith has even added Auburn University to the list of schools showing major interest. Other interested schools at this point include Wake, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, College of Charleston, Stanford, LSU, St. Joseph’s, Alabama, and Ga. Tech.
Smith’s father Steve said the young guard is having a very good start in AAU competition, leading his Geogia Elite squad in scoring with 24 points and seven assists per game. “I feel like I’m playing very well compared to last year. I am much more competitive,” he said. Rivals.com called Smith’s performance in the Boo Williams Invitational in Hampton, VA in April one of the strongest in the entire event. Smith brought his team back from a 23 point deficit, winning the game off the strength of his 34 points and six made three pointers. A few weeks ago, Smith participated in the Lebron James Shooting Stars tournament in Akron, OH, and will soon play in the Bob Gibbons tournament of champions. He has an invitation to the Nike Hoop Jamboree which features the top underclassmen in the country in St. Louis, MO held in June. ESPN has ranked Smith among the “Super” 60 players in the 2010 class.
Smith knows the list could continue to grow during the rest of his time in high school, and doesn’t know when we would plan to commit to a school. “It really depends on how things turn out for me this summer and how many schools notice me this summer. I would like to commit this fall but I can’t really say when i’m going to commit,” he said. However, Smith acknowledges the decision could get tougher. “Picking what school I want to attend will most likely be the most important decision I will make in my life.” The one relief is that two major programs in-state want him to be part of their team’s in the future, and he’s grateful for the opportunity to go to school in his home state. “I’m going to continue working hard and stay humble and do everything in my power so that I will be ready for the next level when the time comes,” Smith said. It’s good that two schools have already made it known that they will be ready for him when he takes that next step.