Walking into Triple A Academy’s gym for Hoop DFW’s Esssential Camp, the first thing I see is this player rising above the rim for a dunk after securing a rebound. There I first saw 2019 Tyreek Smith and throughout that weekend, he showed what type of player he had the ability to if or when he put it all together.
Progress is Smith’s daily focus, as he wants to improve each day to reach his goal.
“I wake up everyday and work towards getting better than the day before so that I can put myself in position to provide a better life for my Mother and younger sister!” Smith said. “If I do my part, God will make a way for that.”
“My mentality is also totally different from a year ago. Now it’s simply give it my all and play with high energy every second that I am on the floor. I use to hit mental walls when I first started playing, but I’ve overcome that and able to digest more about the game even when I’m fatigued.”
Smith has shown improvement as a scorer on the perimeter and is able to stretch the floor on the offensive end. He credits his coach and mentor Hellion “Boog” Knight for his development.
What also has grown is Smith’s offer list as he gets used to the recruiting process this year.
“Currently, I have offers from TCU, Texas A&M, University of Louisiana at Lafayette,and SMU. As of right now it’s still pretty much a even level playing field as far as who’s been on me the most.”
“The recruiting process is new to me. I can’t lie, it’s exciting as well knowing there are people who think that much of me to offer to pay for my college education. I just have to keep working.”
Smith’s focus is to win and be known as a winner. Playing for Houston Hoops 17U team in the EYBL, Smith’s makeup and skill-set as has the staff intrigued on what he can be in the future.
“By the end of summer I want to prove that I am a winner! I play to win! I want everyone to respect me and my game as a player who leaves it all on the floor every game and just simply to maximize getting better everyday!”