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3-Star Hoops Prospect Zhaire Smith Picks Texas Tech over Texas

By Matthew Conner

Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders are introduced before the game with the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; The Texas Tech Red Raiders are introduced before the game with the Oklahoma State Cowboys at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Texas Tech basketball team received a commitment from 3-star forward Zhaire Smith who signed his national letter of intent with the Red Raiders on Thursday.

Chris Beard and the Texas Tech basketball program got a much-needed bit of good news on the recruiting front Thursday.  Zhaire Smith, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound forward from Garland, Texas has signed his letter of intent to play for the Red Raiders after announcing his decision in front of his classmates and family.

Smith had narrowed his college choices two Texas Tech and Texas following his official visit to Lubbock last weekend.  Most recruiting insiders predicted that he would ultimately end up playing in Austin with the website 247Sports.com giving the Longhorns a 75% chance of landing the coveted prospect.

However, Chris Beard and the Texas Tech basketball staff made quite the impression on Zhaire Smith.

"He told the “Dallas Morning News”  that, “he felt at home when he went on his visit to Texas Tech and he felt at home with Beard.”"

Smith was a late bloomer who saw his recruitment pick up steam during his senior season.  He had scholarship offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Kansas State and Memphis in addition to the offers from Texas Tech and Texas.

An amazing athlete, Smith is known best for his high-flying dunks.  In fact, the “Dallas Morning News” named him as one of the

best high school dunkers

in the North Texas area.

Additionally, Smith has developed a nice shooting touch.  He can create his own shot and has a smooth stroke from the floor.

It appears that his mid-range game is a strength as he hits a number of contested two-point jumpers in the highlight video below.

Texas Tech was in the market for a forward to add to the 2017 signing class following the release of 2017 signee

Jordan Brangers

.   The sharp-shooter from South Plains Junior College in Levelland, Texas asked for and was granted his release from his scholarship due to family issues that made it necessary for him to be closer to his native Kentucky.

Exchanging Smith for Brangers can be viewed in two ways.  On the positive side, Smith will be at Tech for four seasons while Brangers had only two years of eligibility remaining.

Conversely, Brangers was expected to be a major contributor for Chris Beard’s team next season.  It is unlikely that Smith will be able to bring as much to the 2017-18 team as Brangers would have (especially in regard to adding a legitimate 3-point shooter to the roster).

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Smith is a better athlete than Brangers and has a higher ceiling but his game is far less refined.  It remains to be seen how much he can contribute as a freshman but his addition strengthens an already deep 2017 signing class.

Texas Tech has also signed high school forwards Jarrett Culver from Lubbock and Daniel Mading of Gainesville, Florida.  The trio of prep stars comprises the best group of high school signees to ink with the Red Raiders since 2014 when Norense Odiase, Zach Smith, Keenan Evans, Justin Gray and Isaiah Manderson all signed with Tech.

Smith’s signing is the second head-to-head recruiting victory for Texas Tech over Texas in the current recruiting cycle.  Culver also narrowed his choices to the Red Raiders and the Longhorns before picking Tech in October.

For the Red Raiders to take the next step as a program, Beard and company must continue to win such battles for the top talent in the state.  With Smith in the fold, Texas Tech has scored a major win for 2017.

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