A reliable three-point shooter with a high volume, as over half of his shots come from deep. He demonstrates excellent shot creation, combining pull-up threes and catch-and-shoot options
BORN: 13/02/2003
LAST TEAM: Furman Paladins (NCAA)
HEIGHT: 6-0 / 183 cm
WEIGHT: 175 / 79 kg
PRO
- Shooting range
- Playmaking
- Quickness – perimeter defense
WEAKNESSES
- Slasher
- Size – physicality
- Decision making to refine
VIDEO
ACTUAL
POTENTIAL
INTRODUCTION
PJay Smith started his NCAA career at Lee University. He had an immediate impact, earning Gulf South Freshman of the Year and a spot on the All-Tournament Team in 2022. As a sophomore, he was named to the Second Team Gulf South Conference. He transferred to the Paladins to take over Mike Bothwell‘s legacy. He gradually became a focal point and then exploded in his senior season, earning SoCon First-Team, NABC South-Atlantic District honors, and multiple Player of the Week awards. PJay Smith led the Paladins to the Conference final where he scored 27 points and distributed 7 assists, but it was not enough to become champions.
PHYSICAL
PJay Smith may not have a large size but compensates with quick, sustained energy on both ends. His lean frame supports perimeter agility and lateral movement, but he lacks the bulk to absorb contact. His athleticism allows for sharp cuts and pace management, runs well on the court, and is reactive. However, additional strength would help him finish through traffic and get past screens. Conditioning appears elite, with high-minute consistency throughout the season.
OFFENSIVE PHASE
PJay Smith is a reliable three-point shooter with a high volume, as over half of his shots come from deep. He demonstrates excellent shot creation, combining pull-up threes and catch-and-shoot options both coming off screens and as a spot-up shooter (41.3% on 8.2 attempts). In pick and roll situations, he can navigate through traffic to seek the basket, but that’s not his primary option, as he prefers to involve teammates. Although he is not a floor general with superior reading skills, his 3.9 assists per game reflect strong playmaking, facilitating spaced sets and exploiting defensive rotations. He has room to improve in managing possessions, but his career assist/turnover ratio is good (+1.7 average during his NCAA journey). Several high-efficiency 20+ point performances, including 32 points against Samford, out of 13 games, show his potential, but conversely, he has had 7 games with 10 or fewer points, resulting in inconsistency. He thrives both as a primary ball-handler and off-ball option, showing rhythm and poise within rhythm systems.
DEFENSIVE PHASE
PJay Smith can apply strong pressure with reactive hands and instincts in passing lanes (1.6 steals per game). His lateral quickness also allows him to navigate screens and stay in front of smaller guards effectively. Notably, he has a solid readiness for rebounds given his size (4.1 on average), showcasing effort and intensity. Despite a lean build, his on-ball defense is effective, though he can be outmuscled by bigger or stronger guards. His energetic closeouts are valuable, but he may improve by enhancing strength and awareness against physical mismatches. Overall, he may not be an elite defender due to his size, but he ensures the right commitment on his side of the court.
IMPROVED AREAS
PJay Smith must improve his ability to finish through contact and handle physicality in traffic. Adding upper-body strength would also help him navigate screens more effectively and absorb defensive pressure. While he shows flashes of playmaking, refining his ability to read defenses and control tempo under pressure would elevate his impact as a ball-handler. Consistency remains a key factor: reducing performance gaps between high-scoring games and quieter outings will be crucial to his professional growth. As a rookie, he can guarantee a solid contribution in a mid-level league, but his potential seems to have a limited upside.