MIAMI – FIU Head Men's Basketball Coach
Jeremy Ballard announced on Thursday that he has rounded out his inaugural recruiting class with the signing of 6-foot-5 forward/guard
Phillip Smith (Bullis School/Potomac, Maryland) to a National Letter of Intent (NLI).
Smith joins 6-foot-2 guard
Antonio Daye (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida/Ft. Lauderdale) who signed an NLI in late June, 6-foot-1 guard
Cameron Corcoran (Orlando, Florida/UALR/Orlando Christian Prep) who signed a grant-in-aid in early June, and 6-foot-3 guard
Marcus Burwell from Richmond, Virginia (Thomas Jefferson High School/Northeastern Junior College {Okla.}), who inked an NLI with the Panthers in late May. Smith, like Daye and Burwell, is expected to make an impact during the 2018-19 season, while Corcoran, who played his freshman season at Arkansas-Little Rock, must the sit out the 2018-19 season, due to NCAA transfer rules. He will, however, have three years of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2019-20 campaign.
"We are extremely excited to welcome
Phillip Smith to our Panther family," said Ballard. "Phillip is a young man with impeccable character who possesses an extremely high skill level. His shooting ability, IQ, and winning intangibles are a welcome and hugely impactful addition to the culture we are currently building. Phillip, undoubtedly, has a bright future at FIU and we are thrilled to watch him grow."
Smith played his scholastic basketball at the Bullis School where he helped to guide the Bulldogs to a 22-10 record – and a No. 11 ranking in the
Washington Post high school poll – during the 2017-18 campaign, and a runner-up finish in the Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC), one year removed from an IAC title. During his senior year, Smith averaged 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists-per-game.
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