West Point’s Smith to participate in Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Game
Mississippi's All-Star boys basketball team may have the perfect player on the roster if it wants to find someone to play lock down defense on Alabama Saturday.
West Point's MJ Smith was chosen to play in the 33rd annual Alabama/Mississippi High School Basketball Games in Mobile and his high school coach with the Green Wave said that he prides himself on the defensive end of the court.
“He's big, strong and athletic,” West Point boys coach Marquis Burnett said. “Defensively, he's a rim protector. You don't find a lot of those who want to play defense these days. He's a rebounder and protector so I'm proud of him.”
Saturday's game will be played at the Mitchell Center on the campus of South Alabama in Mobile. The girls game will tip at noon and will be followed by the boys game.
Smith is a 6-foot-7 forward, who scored his 1,000th point for the Green Wave last season.
Burnett said Smith being able to play in the Alabama/ Mississippi Game is a huge feather in the cap of the program and the city.
“It's a big honor as a senior to represent the team and the city,” Burnett said. “He's been working hard all year for us. We know he will go and be a good representative for us.”
One of Smith's teammates on the Mississippi team will be another area standout in Makhi Myles of Starkville.
Burnett said Smith will be able to hit the court with some of Mississippi's and Alabama's best high school boys players and see how he measures up.
“It's an opportunity for him to get more exposure and other people can see what type of player he is,” Burnett said.