Highlander Basketball Signs Smith In Late Signing Period

RADFORD, Va. -- Radford University Men’s Basketball coach Byron Samuels announced his first signing of the late signing period today, inking Branden Smith to a National Letter of Intent.

A senior at McGuinness Prep in Winston-Salem, N.C., Smith will add more athleticism to Radford’s perimeter game. The 6-3, 180 pound combo-guard averaged 21.0 points per game and 5.0 rebounds per game. He also tallied 4.4 assists and 4.1 steals per game at McGuinness. He has a 43-inch vertical leap, giving him the ability to play under the basket, but Smith also can be deadly from beyond the arc, shooting 46 percent from three-point land.

“Branden Smith is a difference maker. He’s an excellent shooter and strong athlete. His size and strength help us immediately,” Samuels said. “What sets Branden apart is his love for playing and his love for competing. I’m 100 percent confident in Branden as a person, student and basketball player.”

In addition to his athleticism and shooting ability, Samuels is also excited about what role Smith, a Chesapeake, Va. native, will play for the Highlanders.

“I envision him and Whit Holcomb-Faye giving us one of the best backcourts in the Big South Conference and beyond. Branden can flat-out play, and I’m proud to have him in the Radford basketball family.”

Smith chose Radford over College of Charleston, Evansville, UNC Greensboro and Elon. He will join RU this fall as a freshman with four years of eligibility. Smith is the third committed recruit the Highlanders have in place. He joins Josh Fox and Colby Trent, both of whom were signed during the early signing period.

Radford finished the 2003-04 season 12-16 overall, 7-9 in Conference play.