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24, Feb 2026

Jaleel Smith Talks Recruitment, NC State visit

A top guard in North Carolina and nationally for the 2028 class, Jaleel Smith has been playing at an elite level this season. For Gastonia's Hunter Huss High School, the 6-foot-2 guard is averaging 29.6 points and 7 rebounds per outing. He caught fire in early January and scored 59 points against Crest High School, including 38 in the second half.  

 

Jaleel Smith

Gastonia, NC

Class
2028
|
Position
PG
|
Height
6' 2"
|
School Team
National
WL
National Pos. Rank
WL
State
WL
State Pos. Rank
WL

 

The sophomore prospect currently has offers from Mississippi State, Wake Forest and most recently, NC State. 

He earned the offer from NC State after taking a visit to see the Wolfpack. "It was a great experience. It was a good game with an electric crowd, cool players and a really good coaching staff." 

Smith should be considered a guy that looks like he will break into the Top-75 on the national level. His strength, skill level, rebounding for position, ability to get into the paint and his shooting from the mid-range out to the three-point line is what makes him different. 

Playing with Team United 16's last season on the EYBL, Smith was a stat sheet monster, averaging 10.6 points, 3.9 assists, 6 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game. 

Picture from Rod Bridgers


Justin Byerly
State Editor

Justin Byerly has spent the past 15 years covering North Carolina prep and grassroots basketball. He has previously worked with The Recruit Scoop and Rivals.com. In addition to that he has contributed to The USA Today, Charlotte Observer, The Asheville Citizen-Times and The Sun News. He has held The Justin Byerly Upstate/WNC Showcase the past two years and has helped student-athletes from North Carolina and South Carolina receive college scholarships. He owns The Byerly Report scouting service that has over 100 college subscriptions. Justin resides in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Danielle and four children.