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SG Lenzelle Smith (Hapoel Eilat - Israel)

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Originally posted: March 25, 2009

Could Zion-Benton boys basketball star Lenzelle Smith wind up at Class 4A runner-up Waukegan next season?

Waukegan came within four points of capturing the Class 4A state championship, and five of the Bulldogs' top six players are back--including 6-foot-7-inch Jereme Richmond who is committed to Illinois and rated the No. 4 small forward in the country by one recruiting service.

How much better would Waukegan be if Lenzelle Smith, the 6-4 star from Zion-Benton who has committed to Ohio State, wound up on that team? You would be talking about a powerhouse that could begin the season ranked No. 1 in Illinois and among the top teams in the country.

How could this happen? Smith's family would move to Waukegan if his father, Rev. Lenzelle Smith Sr., landed a job as pastor with the Greater Faith Church in Waukegan.

``I've been attending that church since I was 16 years old,'' Rev. Smith said. ``I was a youth minister there at one time.

``I currently am not a pastor at a church, and Greater Faith has an opening for a pastor. I am giving serious thought to putting in my resume. My big desire is to be a pastor at a church.

``If I were to land that position, the church provides a residence for its pastor and his family. We would all move to Waukegan, and according to IHSA (Illinois High School Association) rules, Lenzelle would have to attend Waukegan.''

According to chicagohoops.com, Richmond is the No. 1 player in the state's junior class and Smith is No. 2. The two have been friends since the 4th grade.

``I've heard the rumors about Lenzelle coming to Waukegan,'' Richmond said. ``We're losing a very good player in (senior) Colin Nickerson. But if Lenzelle came here, man, we'd be scary.''
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Could Zion-Benton boys basketball star Lenzelle Smith wind up at Class 4A runner-up Waukegan next season? | Inside Scoop
 
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Are we really banking on a 6'4 235 lb linebacker-size kid whose strength is his inside posting and strength to be our starting PG as a FROSH? That is not a good situation!!! We need other options. I love Smith but I just don't know that he won't be more of a 2/3, in reality, than a 1 at this level.

They are going hard after Joseph and Dority because of it. I wish a better option would pop up that could help next season too though. Crater really was being counted on for a LOT.

crazybuckfan40;1439196; said:
I am excited about everyone else in the class, but Lenzelle could be the most important person in the class, as he will be the starting pg in 2010 season...

We will pull someone else that will probably back up Smith...
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From this evaluation, it sounds like he could play PG but I would rather see him come in and play the two position. I agree regarding Crater but he is gone so we need to forget about him and move on.

December, 2008: Smith is a strong and physical wing that has a great feel for the game. He struggled shooting in the Proviso West tournament game I saw but was very affective in other areas of his game. He is an excellent rebounder and passer in transition and in the half court. He can rebound and is a threat to go coast to coast. He can penetrate draw and kick to open teammates with ease. Smith is great at going to his left and although he can go right in most cases it is for only two or three dribbles. Smith also likes to spin in the lane to beat defenders. Smith has a good basketball IQ and recognizes when he has an advantage. He does not hesitate to post smaller perimeter players and use his size and strength to get the ball to the rim. Smith has a big body and must closely monitor his weight. Smith is very skilled and will be a good fit for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
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buckeydoptimist;1439312; said:
Are we really banking on a 6'4 235 lb linebacker-size kid whose strength is his inside posting and strength to be our starting PG as a FROSH? That is not a good situation!!! We need other options. I love Smith but I just don't know that he won't be more of a 2/3, in reality, than a 1 at this level.

They are going hard after Joseph and Dority because of it. I wish a better option would pop up that could help next season too though. Crater really was being counted on for a LOT.
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I said we are going to be brinigng in another guy...But to say it is not a good situion, I have to assume you have a good handle on the situation or moreso than the coaches???
 
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Some rumors are based in fact, but not ones about Lenzelle
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April 1, 2009

The rumor flew about Peoria a day before the start of IHSA Class 4A state boys basketball finals.

It grew into a buzz (no pun intended) when a downtown Chicago sports writer penned a blog about it on last Wednesday.

Should it happen, it would be big news -- an all-state player from a school transferring to another team which will have four starters returning from a recent runner-up state-finals finish. And it just so happens that the position open next season at the new school is at the shooting-guard position.

WA01_DAYCOLUMN_P1_scn_feed_20090331_20_57_11_480-400-368.imageContent
NEWS-SUN FILE PHOTO The only place Zion-Benton star Lenzelle Smith wants to go next year is to the IHSA Class 4A state finals ... as a Zee-Bee.

But it isn't going to happen.
"Lenzelle (Smith) isn't going anywhere," said Rev. Lenzelle Smith Sr.

"He wants to finish out his high school career at Zion-Benton."

Smith, a 6-foot-4 all-state and two-time all-Lake County guard, helped the Zee-Bees to a second-place finish in last year's Class 4A state finals. The Ohio State University recruit is a talented player and an honor-roll student who can do it all on the court, and would be a welcome addition to any school's program.

But his father wants to put to rest all the rumors running wild about his son possibly transferring to Waukegan.

Many of those rumors are based on Rev. Smith possibly applying for the pastor position at Greater Faith Church in Waukegan.

Rev. Smith told the Chicago reporter that if he indeed applied for and got the new pastor job, his family could move to a residence in Waukegan supplied to the pastor position.

"We would all move to Waukegan, and according to IHSA rules, Lenzelle would have to attend Waukegan," Rev. Smith told the Chicago reporter.

Since the blog appeared, Rev. Smith was informed that IHSA rules do allow for a student who has finished his junior year at a school to remain at the school for his senior year even if he does change his residence.

"I haven't even decided if I'm going to apply for the Greater Faith job yet," said Rev. Smith.

Lenzelle is friends with many players on Waukegan -- including junior all-state forward Jereme Richmond.

"Waukegan is Jereme's team, and Zion-Benton will be Lenzelle's team next season," said Rev. Smith.

Rev. Smith also pointed out how his son enjoys being a big part of the Zion-Benton community.

"Lenzelle recently received an invitation into the National Honor Society and likes being involved in the school and in the community," he said. "Most of the Zion-Benton coaches, faculty and administration have been very good to Lenzelle."
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Some rumors are based in fact, but not ones about Lenzelle :: News Sun :: Darren Day
 
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You don't have to be on the staff to know that a guy most scouts project as more of a 2/3 that is rated more like 50-100 best in his class is not IDEAL, or a good situation to expect to start at PG as a frosh because he may well be the only possible PG on the roster. Their pursuit of Joseph and Dority is proof that they also are not satisfied/content.

Conley was a T20 McD's level player who had been a PG and projected as such for YEARS. Few frosh are ready for the PG spot in college even if they are true points. Conley was but he had a lot going for him that I don't hear are present in Lenzelle. Smith is a kid that is hard to project because he has a lot of "conflicting" skills in that he is a good passer, rebounder, inside scorer, post-up player, strong, etc. IMO, guys like that typically end up being 2's or 3's at the next level not 1's. I don't hear a lot of accolades about his quicks and b/h against pressure. Some think he is an undersized 4 moreso than a 2 let alone a 1.

I'm just taking an educated guess that it isn't an ideal situation to rely on a frosh tweener to be the only PG on a roster that otherwise will be EXTREMELY LOADED with talent. A more true PG that can feed the many scorers that we will have alongside seems more appropriate to start at PG than a guy known for his strength and inside scoring who doesn't even play PG in h.s. To me that is scary and not a good situation to find ourselves in. We saw what questionable PG play does to a team this year. Imagine if Offutt had been our only option at starting PG - not a perfect example because of his knee but it is a little akin to what I'm worried about here! Maybe Lenzelle turns out to be a perfect pass-first press-breaking assist machine as a frosh from day 1, but I wouldn't bet on it! We have so many other pieces in place and covered that I'd hate to see the PG ruin our chances in 2010-2011 - like it may ruin them in 2009-2010.

crazybuckfan40;1439601; said:
I said we are going to be brinigng in another guy...But to say it is not a good situion, I have to assume you have a good handle on the situation or moreso than the coaches???
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Good that Lenzelle continues to develop his all-around game.

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - A King James classic

Ohio State commitment Lenzelle Smith Jr. looked excellent for the Rising Stars Gold. The burly 6-foot-3 guard played the point at times, and also showed off a much improved stroke from deep. While his shooting and defense have greatly improved from last summer, it is his passing that really sets him apart. On numerous occasions Smith showed off great court vision setting up teammates for wide open looks or layups.
 
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CHU;1457795; said:
Good that Lenzelle continues to develop his all-around game.

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting - A King James classic

Ohio State commitment Lenzelle Smith Jr. looked excellent for the Rising Stars Gold. The burly 6-foot-3 guard played the point at times, and also showed off a much improved stroke from deep. While his shooting and defense have greatly improved from last summer, it is his passing that really sets him apart. On numerous occasions Smith showed off great court vision setting up teammates for wide open looks or layups.
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Who would of known...
 
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