Strengths: Explosive athlete with unique combination of power and quickness ... Possesses an extraordinary wingspan, with Georgia Tech official website claiming a 9-1 standing reach ... Tremendous leaping ability ... Frequent target of the alley-oop pass and seemingly nothing is out of reach. Soft hands allow him to corral passes most bigs would muff ... Runs the floor like a gazelle showing great speed from baseline to baseline ... Finishes with power around the rim - a dunking machine ... Has made dramatic advancements in his post game repertoire and footwork ... Features a drop step into the lane for a mini right hook and quick spins to either side of the floor ... Cat quick in the post. Displays a deft touch with his left hand around the basket, almost inclined to use his off hand ... Has a nice looking stroke out to 12-15 feet, but does not appear overly comfortable ... Appears relaxed at the free throw line shooting 73% early on ... An absolute vacuum on both the offensive and defensive backboards. Averaging 8.3 rebounds through his first seven collegiate games in 24 minutes of action (4.4 def and 3.9 off) ... A shot blocking menace (5 per game as a HS senior and 2 per game early this season) ... Alters countless other attempts ... His mere presence makes opponents think twice before driving inside ... Not a boastful personality, but rather allows his game to do the talking ... Excellent student and quick learner.

Weaknesses: Has done a good job adding bulk to his frame, but needs to continue to get stronger ... Needs to increase trajectory on his jumper and increasing his range would be beneficial ... Ball handling is decent for a big, but must be improved to augment his face up game ... Continued advancement of his footwork and comfort level in the post ... Seems to predetermine moves rather than reacting to the defense ... Does not handle double teams well ... Needs to slow the game down and not panic ... Not a great passer out of the post. Has relied heavily on his athletic gifts up to this stage against inferior competition ... Needs to work harder and understand court positioning ... Can be lazy at times defensively and on the boards depending on his length and leaping ability ... Stands too upright and his lateral movement is sloppy ... His conditioning has been questioned, often tiring in the latter stages of games.

Notes: Took home the MVP award at both the Jordan Brand Classic and McDonald’s All-American game.

Adam Ganeles 12/11/09


Strengths: An elite level athlete with skills to play either forward position … He has the athleticism and quickness to guard on the perimeter, and also the length and strength to play inside … Just a high school junior, he's already one of the top handful of high school players in the country … Tremendous shot blocker, his huge wingspan and great explosiveness and timing make him a superb shot blocker … Plays aggressively, not afraid of contact Has a great frame, adding another 15-20 good pounds will be no problem … Very fluid athlete, runs the court well … He is strongest playing inside, rebounding and defensively, skills that will be a benefit regardless of the position he ultimately ends up at … Has solid post skills, with the strength to finish after contact … Has the ability to face the basket and create or shoot … Solid range out to 12 feet, doesn't extend further than that right now as he never needs to …

Weaknesses: Still needs to work on conditioning. By the end of the adidas Super 64, he was really dragging missing most of the semi-final game against Indiana Elite … Developing his perimeter skills (ball handling, passing and outside shooting) will serve him well, as he looks like more of a natural small forward for the NBA level … All of these skills have good potential, just need polishing … Must gain better consistency, play at a high level at all times … Can be a little mechanical offensively …

Notes: Plays for the same AAU team that Josh Smith played for, he has a similar type of game and is very athletic but not quite the freak show that Smith is ...

Aran Smith - 8/7/2007

NBADraft.net Interview

SEASON	TEAM	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	TO	A/T	STL	BLK	PF	FG%	FT%	3P%	PPS
2009-2010	GT	27.5	12.4	8.4	1	2.5	0.41	0.9	2.1	2.6	0.611	0.629		1.53
Per Game	GT	27.5	12.4	8.4	1	2.5	0.41	0.9	2.1	2.6	0.611	0.629		1.53

SEASON	TEAM	GP	MIN	FG	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	PTS	OFF	DEF	TOT	AST	TO	STL	BLK	PF
2009-2010	GT	36	989	179	293	90	143		1	448	108	195	303	37	90	32	74	94
Totals	GT	36	989	179	293	90	143		1	448	108	195	303	37	90	32	74	94