Smith plans to name favorites

4-star forward Justin Smith from Lincolnshire (Ill.) Stevenson has been consistently impressive throughout the spring and summer running with the Mac Irvin. He’s known for his ability to finish above the rim.

That trend continued at the NY2LA summer jam, where Smith also showed the ability to knock down jumpers and put together a 33-point effort in one game.

The Mac Irvin Fire are back in action this week in Las Vegas. Coaches from Illinois have kept close tabs on Smith, with assistant Paris Parham catching most of his games.

“We talk here and there, and they have been recruiting me for a couple of years,” Smith said about Illinois. “We have a good relationship. I’m just looking to continue that.”

Programs Smith says have watched him the most include Illinois, Villanova, Indiana, Wake Forest, Xavier, Wisconsin, Stanford, and Michigan.

More college coaches took notice of Smith early on this spring when he raised his stock. Smith’s plan is to narrow his list soon and start getting out on the road to check out some schools in person.

“After July I’m just trying to take as many visits as I can trim my list,” Smith said. “I’ll probably name a top 10.”

Smith averaged 8.8 points per game for the first during the EYBL season, but has since picked up his scoring and is consistently posting 20-plus points. He teams with Illini commit Da’Monte Williams.

So far, Smith has one visit planned, a trip to Michigan in mid-August. Look for his to line up more visits soon.

Smith talked about what qualities he will look for in the schools that will make his top 10.

“They have to be a high academic school,” he said. “It has to be the right fit for me basketball wise. Also, I have to have a good relationship with my coaches. “