NBA Comparison: Eric Bledsoe

Strengths: 6’2 combo guard … Very good length with a 6’8 wingspan, allowing him to play much bigger than his height … Strong body with broad shoulders and physically imposing. Explosive athlete, jumping well off either foot or both feet. Great burst with the ball and stays under control at a high speed. Can beat the defense off the dribble, gets into the paint at a high rate, and finishes strong at the rim. Plays with good aggression and initiates contact. Draws fouls at a high rate, shot 5.2 free throw attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Can play on or off the ball. Cuts and moves well off the ball, constantly in motion. Knows how to play aggressive without forcing his offense … Efficient scorer: 13.6 PPG 60% FG% NBPA Top 100 2024, 19.6 PPG 57.1% FG% Nike EYBL 2025, 8.4 PPG 54.5% FG% U19 World Cup 2025 … Good rebounder on both ends, especially for position. Seeks contact and consistently boxes out. Reads opportunities for tip-slams. Quick second jump to put in his own misses and can dunk offensive rebounds off the vertical. Averaged 6 (3.4 offensive) rebounds per game at the NBPA Top 100 in 2024 and 7.7 (2 offensive) rebounds per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Good ball-handler. Sees the floor and can initiate offense. Makes nice passes after getting into the paint. Assist to turnover: 2 APG/0.7 TOPG U17 World Cup 2024, 3.2 APG/1 TOPG NBPA Top 100 2024, 3.8 APG/1.7 TOPG Nike EYBL 2025, 1.6 APG/0.7 TOPG U19 World Cup 2025 … Good defender with versatility and lateral speed. With his strength and length, he holds his position even when defending bigger players. Brings the effort and physicality on both ends of the floor. Sticks to the ball, disrupts the handler with quick hands, and comes away with a lot of steals. Isn’t afraid to pressure the ball full court. Steal stats: 1.9 SPG U17 World Cup 2024, 1.2 SPG NBPA Top 100 2024, 5^th best 2.4 SPG Nike EYBL 2025, 2 SPG U19 World Cup 2025 … Good shot blocker for position. Averaged 1 block per game at the U17 World Cup in 2024 and 1.1 block per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Plays with good confidence and intensity yet doesn’t show a lot of emotion. Good competitor and has come through winning programs …

Weaknesses: Shooting is the biggest deficiency in Smith’s game. While he’s had some plus shooting events, the consistency isn’t where it needs to be. Shot 27.8% 3PT% on 2.6 3PT attempts per game at the U17 World Cup in 2024 and 25.8% 3PT% on 1.6 3PT attempts per game over the Nike EYBL in 2025 … Free throw shooting can also improve: 40% FT% U17 World Cup 2024, 67.3% FT% Nike EYBL 2025, 60% FT% U19 World Cup 2025 … Can expand his midrange game, his best option is making a pass after getting to the middle but isn’t as much of a threat to pull up for a shot or floater … Can work on driving and finishing to his left more … While he has a good assist to turnover and can make the right play, he’s a good secondary ball-handler at the next levels, developing his lead guard skills and growing as a playmaker will be important moving forward …

Outlook: Won Gold at the U17 World Cup in 2024 and U19 World Cup in 2025 … 2025 Naismith All-American 3^rd Team …

Evan Tomes 10/27/25

Notes: Measured 6’0.5 barefoot, 191 lbs, and a 6’8 wingspan at the 2023 Nike Elite 100 …