SBLive Boys Basketball Recruiting Rankings: Seattle Prep point guard Braeden Smith ranked No. 13 in Washington

There is quick, and then there is Braeden Smith quick. He has been described by many as a "waterbug" and while watching film on him I was blown away by his endline-to-endline speed.

SBLive Staff | Dec 14, 2020

SBLive Boys Basketball Recruiting Rankings: Seattle Prep point guard Braeden Smith ranked No. 13 in Washington /

In an effort to shine a brighter spotlight on Washington high school basketball players, we are introducing our first-ever SBLive Boys Basketball Recruiting Rankings.

Our rankings are compiled by SBLive Basketball Analyst Dan Dickau based on observations and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the country. The players have been evaluated through a college recruiting lens and analyzed in four categories: athleticism, ball skills, basketball IQ and upside.

Over the next few weeks we will roll out our Top 25 players in Washington. Here’s a closer look at No. 13 on the list, Seattle Prep point guard Braeden Smith:

BRAEDEN SMITH

SBLIVEWARANKING: NO. 13

➡️ HEIGHT: 6-FOOT

➡️ WEIGHT: 165 POUNDS

➡️POSITION: POINT GUARD

➡️CLASS: 2022

➡️HIGHSCHOOL: SEATTLE PREP

➡️HIGH SCHOOL COACH: MICHAEL KELLY

➡️CLUB TEAM: SEATTLE ROTARY

➡️OFFERS: EASTERN WASHINGTON

➡️TWITTER: @braedensmith_22

DICKAU’S ANALYSIS

ATHLETICISM: There is quick, and then there is Braeden Smith quick. He has been described by many as a "waterbug" and while watching film on him I was blown away by his endline-to-endline speed. He is undersized but it doesn’t negatively affect his game because of his speed. When he sees an opportunity he’s able to take advantage of it with his burst.

BALL SKILLS: Smith is very skilled. He has the ability to really shoot it from deep as well as use his handle and quickness to get into the lane and create for himself and others. Where Smith really excels is in pick-and-roll situations and making the correct reads.

BASKETBALL IQ: Smith has a tremendous feel for the game which is evident watching him probe in transition as well as in pick-and-roll situations. The hardest thing for point guards who can shoot it like he does is the balancing of shooting/scoring with running the team, but he seems to balance the two very well.

UPSIDE: Smith is definitely a Division I guard but unfortunately some schools and coaches will shy away based on his size. He shouldn’t let this bother him but instead find the right fit. With the right situation, Smith has a chance to have a really nice college career because of his skill-set and feel for the game.

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SBLIVE WA RECRUITING RANKINGS

NO. 25: OMARI MAULANA, LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

NO. 24: KELSON GEBBERS, BREWSTER

NO. 23: TYCE PAULSEN, CURTIS

NO. 22: GAVIN MARRS, ELLENSBURG

NO. 21: COBI CAMPBELL, PUYALLUP

NO. 20: TYLER BILODEAU, KAMIAKIN

NO: 19: COOPER CHURCH, TAHOMA

NO. 18: CAYDEN MCDANIEL, WILSON

NO. 17: QUIN PATTERSON, MOUNT SI

NO. 16: TYLER MRUS, SEATTLE PREP