Arizona Wildcats Incoming Five: Four Freshman and a Senior
By Ryan Reyes
Picture Given ti ZInaZeakits by Ray Smith
Ray Smith:
Ray Smith is a 6’8″ 200 pound small forward from Las Vegas, Nevada who could fill the shoes of and be the next Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. He attended Las Vegas High school signed with Arizona on July 14, 2014. He also was highly recruited by 11 other universities including Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA and USC; a bulk of the PAC-12 schools.
Smith’s strengthens are, according to an ESPN scouting report are as follows, “Smith runs the floor on the break extremely well and is a major factor on the glass especially offensively. He is a tip dunk, tip in threat or he simply keeps the ball alive. Smith is an excellent slasher and defensively can defend both wings and some smaller power forwards. He is a active live body on both ends of the floor.”
This sounds very similar to what Hollis-Jefferson brought to the court. He could easily be Trier’s wingman on the fast break for those alley-oop dunks. But he has to improve on his long-range shooting and posting up smaller defenders in the paint.
Smith has overcome a lot of adversity by fully recovering from a torn ACL. He did not give up and now his knee is moving like he never was injured. He wants everyone to know that he is fully recovered. Ray’s pleased to be coming to a different city and he will be welcomed with open arms when arrives at U of A.
Next: Incoming Freshman Justin Simon