Player: Chaise Smith
Class: 2026
AAU: Team Loaded
School: Washington HS
2026 6’2 Chaise Smith, from Washington High School and Team Loaded, has certainly been a familiar name around the state of North Carolina. He has shown himself to be an electric scoring guard who can fill it up, bring athleticism, and is one who plays with flair. Recently, our own Jeff Bendel said that he is a player who should have a big summer, saying this:
“Between his production, skillset, and appealing array of physical tools, it’s confusing why only Radford and High Point have extended offers to Smith. He’s a crafty, dynamic creator and scorer with the blend of IQ, poise, and quick-twitch athleticism to cause a ton of problems for opponents. Smith is comfortable operating as a primary playmaker and running the team, but can also effectively coexist alongside another floor general and apply pressure as a scorer from all levels. He’s a reliable shooter, penetrator, and finisher with a smooth middle game and underrated feel as a passer. Smith displays sharp instincts defensively and anticipates well to force turnovers at the point of attack. It would be perplexing if he didn’t collect at least a handful of offers this summer.”
It has been a nice start to the season, as Smith recently announced another offer coming from Presbyterian, giving him yet another D1 offer from around the region.
“They told me I was the top guard on their board,” Smith told Phenom Hoops when talking to the staff at Presbyterian. And it is easy to see why, as Smith is coming off a season in which he averaged 20ppg, 6.4apg, and 2.2spg to lead his team at Washington. Presbyterian now joins Radford and High Point as offers on the board but in talking with Smith, East Carolina has been heavy in the mix with interest as well.
“I’ve been talking to East Carolina a little bit,” he said. “They are just saying that I’m a great player and I’m their kind of guy.” ECU was also one that had told them to come up for a visit but no date has been set, while High Point is another school Smith hopes to visit down the road.