Recruiting Report: Daijon Smith (2018)

Six-foot-2 guard Daijon Smith of Overland has an assortment of schools from several states away calling him for the 18-19 season. “Right now I am hearing from Metro State the most. Heard some from Washington State, Hamline University. Black Hills State contacted me. But no visits yet.” Smith gave his team 11.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and two steals a game shooting 36 percent at the arc as a junior. “Some top highlights from my season for me was definitely our first game against Regis,” Smith said. “We came off with a win and that was our first time beating them in two years. “I had about 26 points and lead the team to a win with a amazing crowd both sides and tons of adversity. Another game that will always stick with me is the game against Far NorthEast. We came up short but it taught our young team well and it was some of us first play off game so it showed us what adversity looks like and the pressure we will have and how we can grow.” Smith played with the Colorado Hawks this 17U season and then spent a lot of time working on his game with his high school squad as well. “I feel like my game improved because I’ve got very consistent on doing what’s best for my team and becoming a great vocal leader and knowing the players and knowing how to connect with them in important moments,” Smith stated. “Shot selection of better as the team grew as players and being more athletic came as well by being in the gym everyday during the season. “Big focus is to develop in the weight room as much as possible and having quicker and more precise footwork. And for hoops having consistency with every time I take a shot and how many dribbles I use when I touch the ball.” With Smith, Laolu Oke, and Tucson Redding leading the senior class much is expected. “I feel like our team will shock a lot of people and strongly feel like we are one of the best teams in the state,” Daijon said. “We should go pretty far in the tournament if we just stay focused. “We have a solid team coming back . We are led with about seven seniors this year and we also have the same starting five as last year so it built a lot of chemistry.” Smith has looked up to former Overland players as his role models as he has grown up as a basketball player. “One player who influenced me was Austin Conway,” Austin said. “I was a freshman at Overland and his impact on the games were great. Another person is Reggie Gibson and Jervae Robinson. I played with them my sophomore year and their skill and potential was the best I’ve seen on any team. “My favorite hoopers are John Wall and Kyrie Irving. Their finesse with the game of basketball is very unique.”