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SG Lenzelle Smith (Hapoel Eilat - Israel)

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Some like from this report Smith could play the PG without too much trouble as long as he keeps his weight in check.

Lenzelle Smith breakdown (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

Lenzelle Smith breakdown

My man Reggie Rankin of Scouts Inc./ESPN.com, whom I've known since I saw him charting statistics at a Linden game when he was in fifth grade (he went on to bigger things), was at the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron last weekend and named future Ohio State player Lenzelle Smith (class of 2010) one of his five standout players.
Here's what Rankin had to say about the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder from Zion, Ill.:

Smith looks to be in better shape since I last saw him in the fall. He played with great pace and energy throughout the game. Smith really did a great job playing the point forward position. This big lefty is an excellent ball-handler and he handled full-court, on-ball pressure very well. Smith did a great job of protecting the ball with his body and kept the defender off-balance by changing speeds and directions. He also displayed his ability to pass. Smith has excellent court vision in the open court and in the half-court set offense as well. He was terrific in drive-draw-and-kick situations. In transition or from the wing, he was a threat to get to the rim by being a physical driver and attacking the basket through contact where he can finish with great touch and body control, especially with his left hand. Smith seemed to get in the lane at will. On defense, he guarded on the perimeter and inside on the smaller power forward. He competed for position and rebounded well in his area. Smith has great skill and versatility and, as long as he maintains his strength and conditioning, he will be a matchup nightmare.

Posted by Bow Baptist April 29, 2009
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LitlBuck;1459495; said:
Some like from this report Smith could play the PG without too much trouble as long as he keeps his weight in check.

Lenzelle Smith breakdown (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)
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Good stuff LitlBuck, sounds like Smith is a very solid player who could at the very least give tOSU some minutes at the point, and if he works at it his Senior year, could give lots of minutes there.
 
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OSUBasketballJunkie;1461692; said:
I know one thing for certain.......Smith is not 6'5...............

As much as I like Smith........I desire a true point...........
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Smith will be just fine if he can create...That is all we need out of a pg...A guy that can take care of hte ball, break down a defense and create for his teammates...Shooting and scoring are only extras from the pg position, and that is what Smith brings...
 
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The ESPN site lists him as 6'5, so maybe that's where Baptist got his info.

LS is considered more of a scorer and point forward type right now. He is learning the PG position. I hope the coaches don't expect him to come in and start and be the answer at PG his freshman season. He has potential but to rest the hopes of the 2010 season on him would be unsmart.

I think they still need a true lead guard. Phil Pressey would be perfect.
 
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buckeydoptimist;1462302; said:
The ESPN site lists him as 6'5, so maybe that's where Baptist got his info.

LS is considered more of a scorer and point forward type right now. He is learning the PG position. I hope the coaches don't expect him to come in and start and be the answer at PG his freshman season. He has potential but to rest the hopes of the 2010 season on him would be unsmart.

I think they still need a true lead guard. Phil Pressey would be perfect.
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I would believe Walter Offutt is currently set to be our starter at PG for the 2010 season, and Pressey seems to be our #1 target for that class. Maybe another JUCO is in the works. After seeing what P.J. Hill, Jeremie Simmons and Je'Kel Foster have all brought to the table recently I wouldn't be opposed to go get somebody with experience if Pressey doesn't work out. Also gives us a veteran since I believe 2010 and 2011 are title runs if we can kepe the team in tact..

Anyway, back to Lenny... I think he's a solid player from what I have seen. Anybody think he can be like a Nick Calathes type of player?
 
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BGriffBuckeye;1462320; said:
Anyway, back to Lenny... I think he's a solid player from what I have seen. Anybody think he can be like a Nick Calathes type of player?
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?? When I read descriptions such as a strong, physical slasher from the wing to go with defensive versatility, Calethes is not really a guy who comes to mind. I've yet to see a full game with Smith, but he would seem to be a little closer to another big Illinois guard, Evan Turner's former teammate Demetri Mccamey. I'd be interested in seeing how those two compare.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JDRX0qsBA"]YouTube - Lenzelle Smith, Jr. (Zion-Benton) Alley-oop slam dunk Chicago CPS[/ame]

One explosive 'point guard'. :) I agree with cbfan40, and trust Coach Matta's confidence. It sounds like Lenzelle really understands the game, and can do a multitude of things on the court. However, desiring a pure point does not mean Smith will not be a great player for the Bucks, or that he won't be more than adequate at the one. It is just that a pure point guard would be so tasty when you look at the rest of the class. I mean I think everyone can agree that a high end lead guard in addition to this group is the ultimate ideal situation. (thus the recruitment of a couple point guards)
 
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Yeah, I am not sure I would use the Calathes comparison either if we are talking about a slasher/take-your-man-off-the-dribble-to-the-hole type player, but I was mainly referring to his improved perimeter jumper and the fact that he can be a VERY good passing wing guard, rather than our true point.
 
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buckeydoptimist;1462302; said:
The ESPN site lists him as 6'5, so maybe that's where Baptist got his info.

LS is considered more of a scorer and point forward type right now. He is learning the PG position. I hope the coaches don't expect him to come in and start and be the answer at PG his freshman season. He has potential but to rest the hopes of the 2010 season on him would be unsmart.

I think they still need a true lead guard. Phil Pressey would be perfect.
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Smith is 6'3''...staff is excited about the potential of him as pg...and we are still looking to bring in another pg because if not we will only have 1 on the roster...

Offut...they are not looking at moving him to the pg position at this time...

not a guess...
 
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Smith drawing raves

Lenzelle Smith hasn't yet played a basketball game for Ohio State University, but the Zion-Benton junior guard is already drawing plenty of interest in Columbus.

In the Horseshoe Lounge blog on the BuckeyeGrove.com web site, Smith drew raves from national recruiting analyst Brian Snow.

Among the comments made by Snow in the blog included:

Because he isn't from Ohio, and due to the fact that he isn't a five-star kid, Lenzelle Smith doesn't get the attention that some of the other Ohio State commitments get. Even without that attention, Smith is really opening eyes with his play so far on the AAU circuit. So far he has put the Rising Stars Gold on his back and has excelled and showed an improved game.

At the King James tournament in Akron, Smith helped to lead his team to the quarter finals. While at the tournament he was asked to run the point guard, and he looked good doing it.

About the current state of his game, Smith said, "It is going good. I am developing my point guard skills right now trying to get ready for the next level. I pass it real well. I am trying to get into the lane and penetrate and kick out to a shooter. I am actually shooting the ball pretty well now, and that is a plus. I am trying to work on my speed, agility, and quickness so I can guard smaller guards."

For Ohio State it is no secret that their biggest need is at the point guard position. Despite that need, and his ability to play there, Matta hasn't told him he would be running the team. In fact all Matta has told him is that he will be on the court playing.

"Actually when I talked to Coach Matta he told me I was going to be on the court, and that I was going to play," said Smith. "I didn't know what position or anything. As I look at the guys I am coming in with, we have some good wings, some big men, and some guys who can shoot the ball. I can play point guard, I can play the wing, it really doesn't matter."

Along with Smith in the 2010 (Ohio State) class is Jared Sullinger, Jordan Sibert, and DeShaun Thomas. That group rates as the best in the country, and Smith knows that they could do some big things in their time at OSU.

"I have a good relationship with Jared and Jordan, and I am in contact with DeShaun, and they are great guys," said Smith. "As long as we stick together we will be a great team."
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Rucks stepping out of the shadows :: News Sun :: Darren Day
 
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Having just 1 guy as a candidate at such a vital spot will never let me relax. On a roster of 12-13 you'd want to have at least 2 and probably more point guards.

Is anyone really that confident that Smith can start at PG as a green frosh and lead the team? Really? I aint! I want a better option to start that season! Let Smith bide his time for a year or two as a backup point.
 
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