The trials and tribulations coming Northrop’s way after graduating one the area’s best players are real. But the cupboard is far from bare for the defending co-SAC champions and Khamani Smith is truly entering his comfort zone as he heads to his junior season.
Smith got little taste of the varsity level as a freshman, but really started to come into his own last year as a starter for the Bruins and a guy they relied on to rebound the ball and be a physical force with and without Sydney Curry on the floor with him. There were nights when Smith’s offensive ability was put into a larger scale, like his 14 points in a loss to Marion, but he has been looked at as the intangible guy in the past, to clean up and to make good decision to get other involved. That changes in 2019-2020 when Smith must be one of the very best players on the court at all times.
Averaging six points and three rebounds per game last season leaves room for growth on the numbers end, but Smith is fully capable of impacting those areas. He will be one of the bigger players on the court for Northrop and take advantage of his smooth looking midrange jumper to open up inside opportunities, although his consistency in his shooting percentage is still lacking. Having another player to work a high-low with will strengthen Smith’s fight and his ability to get up the court and fill his lane correctly in transition means that with good hands on the catch, he will be a viable top option.
“A two year starter, [we] expect a huge year from this rising 2021 [player],” Northrop coach Rod Chamble says.
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