Youngin’ Alert: Roscoe Smith

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 19, 2006 – With high school players committing to colleges earlier and earlier, the importance of underclassman in terms of recruiting has increased. In light of that, i95Ballerz.com will periodically provide Youngin’ Alerts – reports on high school freshman and sophomores that look to be players of note, in the future. With that said, meet Roscoe Smith.

Smith, a smooth and efficient swingman from Baltimore, presently a freshman at that city’s Walbrook High School made quite an impression at the Team Philly vs. Team Maryland AAU Shootout last month. In addition to scoring 16 points, the 6’6”, 160lb young man also rebounded, defended, and equally as impressive, made the game seem easy by always making the right play.

Roscoe Smith (left) has received considerable tutelage from his father, Brian Thompson (right).

Offensively, Smith has a smooth mid range jumper, and possesses the ability to attack the cup, while defensively, he challenges all shots. When it comes to boards, he’s relentless.

The development of his skill set has been a family affair. “Basically, he puts me through a lot of drills” said Smith of his father, Brian Thompson, after Team Maryland’s 92-86 victory over Team Philly. When asked about the efficiency he displays, the young man attributed it to “practice, for real”.

Thompson and his son conduct many of their sessions at the Bentalou Recreation Center, and those workouts serve as more than just hoops development. “It keeps him away from the street” said Thompson. “I made a full commitment since he was nine, to develop his game. It’s better than learning the streets”.

This father and son tandem workout “sometimes, five times a week” shared Thompson. Roscoe admitted at times he gets – to use the parlance of the hip – roughed off in their sessions, but that in doing so “It makes me better”.

His coach at Walbrook, Kelvin Bridgers, who has coached at the 3A classified school for nine years, thinks highly of Smith. “He’s disciplined and has a high level of character” he said. “He’s mentally tough. If he continues on this path, he will be very successful”.

Though it’s very early in his high school career – the young man hasn’t played a game yet – Roscoe opined “Right now, I would like to go to either Notre Dame or Georgetown”. Thompson indicated he is taking the process slowly. “We are just getting into it now” he indicated. “When the time comes, we will think about it.”

With a smooth offensive game, advanced skill set, and high basketball I.Q., Walbrook High School freshman Roscoe Davis plays much older than his 15 years would indicate.

Academic focus is chief on their list of college prerequisites. “We want to make sure he gets his academics the way he is supposed to” shared Thompson. “If he doesn’t go to the next level, he will have a diploma, a degree, so he can do something else”.

With the support and guidance of Thompson and Bridgers – whose program has placed a student-athlete at a Division I basketball program for each of the past seven years – and not only his hoops skills but basketball I.Q., there is no doubt Roscoe will be successful.

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates on Roscoe Smith. He could very well be one of the next great ones, to come out of the Charm City.