“It’s going great,” Smith said. “I’m getting all A’s.”

Smith now attends Westwind Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. Originally, his family wanted him to spend his senior year at Bethel despite Smith wanting to return to Edison. Nevertheless, he ended up at Westwind in late August.

“It’s the best place for me,” said Smith. “[Edison] thought I was coming back. They heard I was going to Westwind, and they were like ‘you got to do what you need to do.’”

Westwind is also the same school 2008 Fresno State recruit Chris Jones will spend this academic year. “I knew [Chris Jones] was coming [to Westwind],” said Smith.

Smith verbally committed to Fresno State in July after de-committing to Arizona. He says Oregon and USC are still recruiting him among a few others; nonetheless, he is a Bulldog.

“I take my ACT and SAT on October 13 pass those and I sign in November,” said Smith. “I talk to Coach Senque [Carey] and Coach [Steve] Cleveland. They’re coming up to visit me next week.”

Smith feels his move to Westwind will benefit him in so many ways. He says his grades are improved, but he also feels the level of competition on the court will improve his game.

Smith is the No. 13 ranked center in the nation, according to Scout.com. But he was the No. 5 center during his junior, and he has dropped since transferring from Edison. Smith says he will get his chances against a schedule that will feature some of the best high schools in the nation.

“Coach says were playing everyone, Oak Hill [Academy]…,” said Smith. “My goal is to finish in the top 20 [nationally as a player].”

Smith is focusing on keeping his core GPA up and getting ready for the season. The team is not practicing, but he works out every morning for three hours before class begins. He says as soon as the academic year is over in May, he will fly back to Fresno to prepare for his freshman season. However, he will make a three-day stop in Fresno in late December for a scheduled high school basketball tournament.