2023-24 Men's Basketball Roster
Roster
Smith III, Tolu
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Jersey Number 1
Tolu Smith III
- Position:
- F
- Height:
- 6-11
- Weight:
- 245
- Class:
- Graduate Student
- Hometown:
- Bay St. Louis, Miss.
- High School/Previous School:
- Kahuku HS - Hawaii/Western Kentucky
Bio
HONORS & AWARDS
2023-24 NABC All-District 20 First Team
2023-24 All-SEC First Team • Associated Press • Coaches
2023-24 Preseason All-America Second Team • Blue Ribbon
2023-24 Preseason All-America Third Team • ESPN Dick Vitale
2023-24 Naismith Player of the Year Preseason Watch List • 1 of 50
2023-24 John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List • 1 of 50
2023-24 Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List • 1 of 20
2023-24 Preseason Top 25 Player • No. 18 • Lindy’s
2023-24 SEC Preseason Player of the Year • Blue Ribbon
2023-24 Preseason All-SEC First Team • Blue Ribbon • Jon Rothstein • Field of 68 • Lindy’s
2022-23 USBWA All-District IV First Team
2022-23 NABC All-District 20 First Team
2022-23 All-SEC First Team • Associated Press • Coaches
2022-23 Bailey Howell Trophy Recipient
2022-23 SEC Player of the Week • Nov. 14, 2022 • Feb. 6, 2023
2022-23 Fort Myers Tipoff All-Tournament Team • Tournament MVP
2022-23 Barstool Sports Invitational Game MVP
2022-23 Preseason All-SEC First Team • Associated Press • Coaches
2022-23 Preseason All-SEC Second Team • Lindy’s • Field of 68
2021-22 Baha Mar Hoops Championship All-Tournament Team
2020-21 • 2021-22 • 2022-23 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2019-20 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
CAREER
Smith III has made 142 appearances with 103 starts between his five seasons at Mississippi State and Western Kentucky … Started 103 of his 108 outings at State … Secured 1554 of his 1666 points (93.3 percent), 865 of his 954 rebounds (90.7 percent), 144 of his 152 assists (94.7 percent), 74 of 77 steals (96.1 percent) and 60 of his 70 blocks (85.7 percent) with the Bulldogs … His 1,554 points sit in 11th place, while his 865 rebounds are 6th in program history following the 2023-24 season … Connected on 57.1 percent (574-of-1006) of his field goal attempts and 59.8 percent at the foul line (406-of-679) at State … The 57.1 field goal percentage is 5th among MSU players who hit made 500+ field goals … Tallied 81 career games in double figures and 34 career double-doubles, all in Maroon and White … The 81 outings with 10+ points are 9th in program history … Registered 18 of his 24 outings of 20 or more points versus SEC opponents … Collected 10 of his 12 performances of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds also against SEC foes … Led State in rebounding 67 of 108 career games and paced team in scoring 42 times.
2023-24 • GRADUATE SENIOR
Smith III started 19 of 23 games after he missed State’s first 12 contests (Nov. 8-Dec. 23) due to an injury … The only SEC player to pick up consensus All-SEC First-Team honors and a National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) All-District 20 First-Team selection for the second straight season … The last State player to earn consensus All-SEC First-Team honors in back-to-back seasons was Jarvis Varnado (2008-09, 2009-10) … Smith III and Johni Broome (Auburn) are the only players to secure 2023-24 All-SEC First Team and 2023-24 Preseason All-SEC First Team accolades from the coaches and the media … Amassed 15.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 steals per game … Connected on 56.5 percent from the field (126-of-223) and 58.2 percent at the foul line (92-of-158) … Smith III is the only SEC player, one of seven Power 6 players and one of 11 players nationally with at least 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds while shooting 55.0 percent from the floor … The Power 6 players on the list were N’Faly Dante (Oregon), Zach Edey (Purdue), Jesse Edwards (West Virginia), Norchad Omier (Miami), Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) and Kel’el Ware (Indiana) … In conference play, ranked among the SEC’s top 12 in points (16.3 – 12th), rebounds (8.2 – 4th) and field goal percentage (57.5 – 1st).
2023-24 • BEST GAMES
Smith III provided 16 points on a flawless 5-of-5 shooting and added nine rebounds against Bethune-Cookman (Dec. 31) in his season debut … Pumped home 23 points during his first start and victory over No. 5 Tennessee (Jan. 10) … Racked up 22 of his season’s best 26 points in the second half at No. 8 Kentucky (Jan. 17) … His first of two 20-10 outings was a 25-point, 11-rebound effort versus Vanderbilt (Jan. 20) … Turned in 19 points and 12 rebounds against Georgia (Feb. 7) … Fired in 24 points versus Ole Miss (Feb. 21) … Registered 21 points and 10 rebounds against No. 16 Kentucky (Feb. 27) … Came away with 14 points and 10 rebounds during home finale versus No. 17 South Carolina (March 9) … Hauled down season-high 13 rebounds against LSU (March 14) in SEC Tournament win … His last double-double was 10 points and 10 rebounds versus No. 12 Auburn (March 15) in SEC Tournament semifinals … Tallied nine points against Michigan State (March 21) in NCAA Tournament Round of 64.
2022-23 • REDSHIRT SENIOR
Smith III was joined by D.J. Jeffries as the only players to start all 34 games … Came away with consensus All-SEC First-Team honors from the coaches and the media along with United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District IV First-Team and National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) All-District 20 First-Team selections … One of five players in 2022-23 to earn both 2022-23 All-SEC First-Team and Preseason All-SEC Team First-Team accolades from the coaches … List include Kobe Brown (Missouri), Colin Castleton (Florida), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) … Won the Bailey Howell Trophy which is awarded to the state of Mississippi’s top collegiate player … Extended MSU’s run of success to five of the last six seasons winning the Howell Trophy joining Quinndary Weatherspoon (2017-18, 2018-19), Reggie Perry (2019-20) and Iverson Molinar (2021-22) who also were All-SEC First-Team performers … Pumped home 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.7 blocks per game … Sank 57.2 percent of his field goal attempts (194-of-339) and 58.8 percent at the foul line (147-of-250) … Smith III and Tshiebwe were only SEC players to rank in top 10 in points (15.7 – 8th) along with top 5 marks in field goal percentage (57.2 – 1st), rebounds (8.5 – 2nd) and double-doubles (12 – 2nd) … One of five Power 5 players to average at least 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting at least 55 percent … The Power 5 players are Zach Edey (Purdue), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona).
2022-23 • BEST GAMES
Smith III ripped off 19 points and 11 rebounds versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Nov. 7) … Exploded for 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting versus Akron (Nov. 11) … Solid all-around effort with seven points, a career-high 16 rebounds and a career-best six assists against Marquette (Nov. 21) … Provided 16 points and matched career-high 16 rebounds versus Utah (Nov. 23) as State won the 2022-23 Fort Myers Tipoff … Notched 20 points at Minnesota (Dec. 11) … Limited to season-low five points against No. 8 Alabama (Dec. 28) during SEC opener … Surpassed 1,000 career points following a 12-point effort versus Ole Miss (Jan. 7) … Capped the season with 18 straight games in double figures (Jan. 14-March 14) where he improved his averages to 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game fueled by 10 of his 12 double-doubles … Began run with 20-point, 10-rebound effort at No. 21 Auburn (Jan. 14) … Provided non-conference season’s best 27 points on 11-of-13 from the floor coupled with 13 rebounds, five assists and a career-high four blocks to catapult State to victory over No. 11 TCU (Jan. 28) … Become the 42nd player overall and 6th player since 2017-18 to eclipse 1,000 points at State with 25-point, 12-rebound outing against Missouri (Feb. 4) … Dialed up 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists at Ole Miss (Feb. 18) … Pumped home 27 points and 11 rebounds at Vanderbilt (March 4) during regular season finale … Fired in a career-high 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds and a season’s best versus Florida (March 9) … The 28 points matched the second-highest total by a State player in a SEC Tournament with Dontae’ Jones against No. 1 Kentucky during the 1996 championship game … Collected 17 points and 11 rebounds versus No. 4 Alabama (March 10) … Added 13 points and eight rebounds against Pittsburgh (March 14) in NCAA Tournament First Four.
2021-22 • REDSHIRT JUNIOR
Smith III started in 20 of his 21 appearances seeing significant action during State’s final 13 games (Feb. 5-March 16) after he worked his way back through multiple injuries … Turned in 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game … Drained 57.6 percent from the floor (110-of-191) and 65.0 percent at the free throw line (78-of-120) … His 57.1 shooting percentage was 3rd, while his 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds were 11th if Smith III qualified for the SEC rankings … His 16 games of 10-plus points were tied for third on the team with D.J. Jeffries … 12 of his 16 outings with double-digit points came versus SEC competition … Chipped in multiple assists in seven games and multiple steals on six occasions.
2021-22 • BEST GAMES
Smith III made his season debut with 10 points and seven rebounds versus Louisville (Nov. 25) at the Baha Mar Hoops Championship in The Bahamas … Registered consecutive double-doubles against Richmond (Nov. 27) and Lamar (Dec. 2) … Fired in 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting and added 11 rebounds during the Richmond game en route to all-tournament honors in The Bahamas … Amassed 18 points, six rebounds and a career-high five steals versus Arkansas (Dec. 29) in SEC opener … Notched 17 points at Florida (Jan. 19) … Pumped home 19.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest in last seven games (Feb. 23-March 16) … Racked up four outings of 20-plus points and a trio of double-doubles over seven-game run … Matched season’s best with 22 points against Vanderbilt (Feb. 26) off bench … Provided season-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds in near upset of SEC regular season champion and No. 5 Auburn (March 5) … Dialed up 20 points and 12 rebounds versus South Carolina (March 10) in SEC Tournament opener … Garnered 16 points and 11 rebounds at Virginia (March 16) in NIT.
2020-21 • REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE
Smith III started in 30 games before he missed the final three games of the season (March 25-28) … Sank 56.9 percent from the floor (144-of-253) and 58.9 percent (89-of-151) on foul shots … Averaged 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game … The 8.5 total rebounds, 3.3 offensive rebounds, 10 outings of 10-plus rebounds and eight double-doubles headlined the SEC … Amassed 20 games in double figures coupled with four performances of 20-plus points, both marks were third on the team … Five outings with multiple steals and four games with multiple blocks … Teamed with Iverson Molinar and D.J. Stewart Jr. to average 45.3 points per game, which was second-best in the SEC and only behind LSU’s Cameron Thomas, Trendon Watford and Javonte Smart (55.3 PPG) .. The 45.3 PPG was MSU’s highest scoring trio since Dee Bost, Ravern Johnson and Renardo Sidney at 47.1 PPG in 2010-11 … State won 10 of 12 games when Molinar, Smith III and Stewart Jr. each reached double figures during the same game.
2020-21 • BEST GAMES
Smith III began his MSU career with eight consecutive games in double figures sparked by a quartet of double-doubles (Nov. 25-Dec. 21) … Notched 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against Clemson (Nov. 25) during season opener … Racked up 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks versus Liberty (Nov. 26) … Provided 19 points and 12 rebounds against Jackson State (Dec. 8) … Turned in back-to-back double-doubles with 10 points and 10 rebounds versus Central Arkansas (Dec. 16) followed by 13 points and 12 rebounds against Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 21) … Added 15 points and nine rebounds during State’s 75-63 win over No. 13 Missouri (Jan. 5) … Converted on 7-of-8 shooting en route to 18 points and eight rebounds at Vanderbilt (Jan. 9) … Tucked away his first career 20-10 performance and first SEC double-double with career-highs of 27 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks versus Florida (Jan. 16) … Exploded for 17 points on a flawless 6-for-6 shooting effort in second half … Managed 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals against Iowa State (Jan. 30) at SEC/Big 12 Challenge … Pumped home 24 points and 11 rebounds against LSU (Feb. 10) … Secured 12 points and 13 rebounds versus No. 6 Alabama (Feb. 27) … Came away with eight points, six rebounds and a career-high five assists at Texas A&M (March 3) … Registered 20 points, nine rebounds and two steals at Auburn (March 6) … Collected 13 points and 11 rebounds for eight double-double against Kentucky (March 11) at SEC Tournament.
2019-20 • SOPHOMORE
Smith III practiced with the team and redshirted the 2019-20 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
BEFORE MISSISSIPPI STATE
Smith III spent his freshman season at Western Kentucky under former Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury … Appeared in 34 games where he posted 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game … Shot 58.3 percent from the field (42-of-72) and 57.1 percent at the free throw line (28-of-29) … Did not attempt a three-pointer … Scored his first career points on a traditional three-point play off a layup at No. 25 Washington (Nov. 6) … Tallied six points and six rebounds versus UT Martin (Nov. 10) … Posted a season’s best nine points against No. 13 West Virginia (Nov. 16) … Chipped in five points and hauled down a season-high nine rebounds at Louisiana Tech (Jan. 26) … Held offers from Arkansas LSU, Texas A&M and West Virginia after he entered the transfer portal following the 2018-19 season.
HIGH SCHOOL
Smith III prepped at Kahuku High and Intermediate School in Hawaii where he registered 21.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a senior … Named Honolulu Star-Advertiser Player of the Year and ranked No. 1 on the all-defensive team… Also selected as Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division Boys Basketball Player of the Year… Played his sophomore and junior seasons at Bay High School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi … Posted 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game during his junior season … Team finished the 2016-17 season with a 25-6 record and ranked No. 1 in South Mississippi by the Biloxi Sun Herald… Captured the Biloxi Sun Herald’s All-South Mississippi Player of the Year award in 2017-18 … His brother, Galen, played two seasons of NAIA basketball at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans from 2017-18 and 2018-19.
PERSONAL
Born on July 26, 2000 … Majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies.
2023-24 NABC All-District 20 First Team
2023-24 All-SEC First Team • Associated Press • Coaches
2023-24 Preseason All-America Second Team • Blue Ribbon
2023-24 Preseason All-America Third Team • ESPN Dick Vitale
2023-24 Naismith Player of the Year Preseason Watch List • 1 of 50
2023-24 John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List • 1 of 50
2023-24 Karl Malone Award Preseason Watch List • 1 of 20
2023-24 Preseason Top 25 Player • No. 18 • Lindy’s
2023-24 SEC Preseason Player of the Year • Blue Ribbon
2023-24 Preseason All-SEC First Team • Blue Ribbon • Jon Rothstein • Field of 68 • Lindy’s
2022-23 USBWA All-District IV First Team
2022-23 NABC All-District 20 First Team
2022-23 All-SEC First Team • Associated Press • Coaches
2022-23 Bailey Howell Trophy Recipient
2022-23 SEC Player of the Week • Nov. 14, 2022 • Feb. 6, 2023
2022-23 Fort Myers Tipoff All-Tournament Team • Tournament MVP
2022-23 Barstool Sports Invitational Game MVP
2022-23 Preseason All-SEC First Team • Associated Press • Coaches
2022-23 Preseason All-SEC Second Team • Lindy’s • Field of 68
2021-22 Baha Mar Hoops Championship All-Tournament Team
2020-21 • 2021-22 • 2022-23 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2019-20 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
CAREER
Smith III has made 142 appearances with 103 starts between his five seasons at Mississippi State and Western Kentucky … Started 103 of his 108 outings at State … Secured 1554 of his 1666 points (93.3 percent), 865 of his 954 rebounds (90.7 percent), 144 of his 152 assists (94.7 percent), 74 of 77 steals (96.1 percent) and 60 of his 70 blocks (85.7 percent) with the Bulldogs … His 1,554 points sit in 11th place, while his 865 rebounds are 6th in program history following the 2023-24 season … Connected on 57.1 percent (574-of-1006) of his field goal attempts and 59.8 percent at the foul line (406-of-679) at State … The 57.1 field goal percentage is 5th among MSU players who hit made 500+ field goals … Tallied 81 career games in double figures and 34 career double-doubles, all in Maroon and White … The 81 outings with 10+ points are 9th in program history … Registered 18 of his 24 outings of 20 or more points versus SEC opponents … Collected 10 of his 12 performances of 20+ points and 10+ rebounds also against SEC foes … Led State in rebounding 67 of 108 career games and paced team in scoring 42 times.
2023-24 • GRADUATE SENIOR
Smith III started 19 of 23 games after he missed State’s first 12 contests (Nov. 8-Dec. 23) due to an injury … The only SEC player to pick up consensus All-SEC First-Team honors and a National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) All-District 20 First-Team selection for the second straight season … The last State player to earn consensus All-SEC First-Team honors in back-to-back seasons was Jarvis Varnado (2008-09, 2009-10) … Smith III and Johni Broome (Auburn) are the only players to secure 2023-24 All-SEC First Team and 2023-24 Preseason All-SEC First Team accolades from the coaches and the media … Amassed 15.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 steals per game … Connected on 56.5 percent from the field (126-of-223) and 58.2 percent at the foul line (92-of-158) … Smith III is the only SEC player, one of seven Power 6 players and one of 11 players nationally with at least 15.0 points, 8.0 rebounds while shooting 55.0 percent from the floor … The Power 6 players on the list were N’Faly Dante (Oregon), Zach Edey (Purdue), Jesse Edwards (West Virginia), Norchad Omier (Miami), Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) and Kel’el Ware (Indiana) … In conference play, ranked among the SEC’s top 12 in points (16.3 – 12th), rebounds (8.2 – 4th) and field goal percentage (57.5 – 1st).
2023-24 • BEST GAMES
Smith III provided 16 points on a flawless 5-of-5 shooting and added nine rebounds against Bethune-Cookman (Dec. 31) in his season debut … Pumped home 23 points during his first start and victory over No. 5 Tennessee (Jan. 10) … Racked up 22 of his season’s best 26 points in the second half at No. 8 Kentucky (Jan. 17) … His first of two 20-10 outings was a 25-point, 11-rebound effort versus Vanderbilt (Jan. 20) … Turned in 19 points and 12 rebounds against Georgia (Feb. 7) … Fired in 24 points versus Ole Miss (Feb. 21) … Registered 21 points and 10 rebounds against No. 16 Kentucky (Feb. 27) … Came away with 14 points and 10 rebounds during home finale versus No. 17 South Carolina (March 9) … Hauled down season-high 13 rebounds against LSU (March 14) in SEC Tournament win … His last double-double was 10 points and 10 rebounds versus No. 12 Auburn (March 15) in SEC Tournament semifinals … Tallied nine points against Michigan State (March 21) in NCAA Tournament Round of 64.
2022-23 • REDSHIRT SENIOR
Smith III was joined by D.J. Jeffries as the only players to start all 34 games … Came away with consensus All-SEC First-Team honors from the coaches and the media along with United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District IV First-Team and National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC) All-District 20 First-Team selections … One of five players in 2022-23 to earn both 2022-23 All-SEC First-Team and Preseason All-SEC Team First-Team accolades from the coaches … List include Kobe Brown (Missouri), Colin Castleton (Florida), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and Santiago Vescovi (Tennessee) … Won the Bailey Howell Trophy which is awarded to the state of Mississippi’s top collegiate player … Extended MSU’s run of success to five of the last six seasons winning the Howell Trophy joining Quinndary Weatherspoon (2017-18, 2018-19), Reggie Perry (2019-20) and Iverson Molinar (2021-22) who also were All-SEC First-Team performers … Pumped home 15.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.7 blocks per game … Sank 57.2 percent of his field goal attempts (194-of-339) and 58.8 percent at the foul line (147-of-250) … Smith III and Tshiebwe were only SEC players to rank in top 10 in points (15.7 – 8th) along with top 5 marks in field goal percentage (57.2 – 1st), rebounds (8.5 – 2nd) and double-doubles (12 – 2nd) … One of five Power 5 players to average at least 15.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting at least 55 percent … The Power 5 players are Zach Edey (Purdue), Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indiana), Oscar Tshiebwe (Kentucky) and Azuolas Tubelis (Arizona).
2022-23 • BEST GAMES
Smith III ripped off 19 points and 11 rebounds versus Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Nov. 7) … Exploded for 26 points on 11-of-13 shooting versus Akron (Nov. 11) … Solid all-around effort with seven points, a career-high 16 rebounds and a career-best six assists against Marquette (Nov. 21) … Provided 16 points and matched career-high 16 rebounds versus Utah (Nov. 23) as State won the 2022-23 Fort Myers Tipoff … Notched 20 points at Minnesota (Dec. 11) … Limited to season-low five points against No. 8 Alabama (Dec. 28) during SEC opener … Surpassed 1,000 career points following a 12-point effort versus Ole Miss (Jan. 7) … Capped the season with 18 straight games in double figures (Jan. 14-March 14) where he improved his averages to 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game fueled by 10 of his 12 double-doubles … Began run with 20-point, 10-rebound effort at No. 21 Auburn (Jan. 14) … Provided non-conference season’s best 27 points on 11-of-13 from the floor coupled with 13 rebounds, five assists and a career-high four blocks to catapult State to victory over No. 11 TCU (Jan. 28) … Become the 42nd player overall and 6th player since 2017-18 to eclipse 1,000 points at State with 25-point, 12-rebound outing against Missouri (Feb. 4) … Dialed up 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists at Ole Miss (Feb. 18) … Pumped home 27 points and 11 rebounds at Vanderbilt (March 4) during regular season finale … Fired in a career-high 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds and a season’s best versus Florida (March 9) … The 28 points matched the second-highest total by a State player in a SEC Tournament with Dontae’ Jones against No. 1 Kentucky during the 1996 championship game … Collected 17 points and 11 rebounds versus No. 4 Alabama (March 10) … Added 13 points and eight rebounds against Pittsburgh (March 14) in NCAA Tournament First Four.
2021-22 • REDSHIRT JUNIOR
Smith III started in 20 of his 21 appearances seeing significant action during State’s final 13 games (Feb. 5-March 16) after he worked his way back through multiple injuries … Turned in 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game … Drained 57.6 percent from the floor (110-of-191) and 65.0 percent at the free throw line (78-of-120) … His 57.1 shooting percentage was 3rd, while his 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds were 11th if Smith III qualified for the SEC rankings … His 16 games of 10-plus points were tied for third on the team with D.J. Jeffries … 12 of his 16 outings with double-digit points came versus SEC competition … Chipped in multiple assists in seven games and multiple steals on six occasions.
2021-22 • BEST GAMES
Smith III made his season debut with 10 points and seven rebounds versus Louisville (Nov. 25) at the Baha Mar Hoops Championship in The Bahamas … Registered consecutive double-doubles against Richmond (Nov. 27) and Lamar (Dec. 2) … Fired in 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting and added 11 rebounds during the Richmond game en route to all-tournament honors in The Bahamas … Amassed 18 points, six rebounds and a career-high five steals versus Arkansas (Dec. 29) in SEC opener … Notched 17 points at Florida (Jan. 19) … Pumped home 19.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest in last seven games (Feb. 23-March 16) … Racked up four outings of 20-plus points and a trio of double-doubles over seven-game run … Matched season’s best with 22 points against Vanderbilt (Feb. 26) off bench … Provided season-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds in near upset of SEC regular season champion and No. 5 Auburn (March 5) … Dialed up 20 points and 12 rebounds versus South Carolina (March 10) in SEC Tournament opener … Garnered 16 points and 11 rebounds at Virginia (March 16) in NIT.
2020-21 • REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE
Smith III started in 30 games before he missed the final three games of the season (March 25-28) … Sank 56.9 percent from the floor (144-of-253) and 58.9 percent (89-of-151) on foul shots … Averaged 12.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game … The 8.5 total rebounds, 3.3 offensive rebounds, 10 outings of 10-plus rebounds and eight double-doubles headlined the SEC … Amassed 20 games in double figures coupled with four performances of 20-plus points, both marks were third on the team … Five outings with multiple steals and four games with multiple blocks … Teamed with Iverson Molinar and D.J. Stewart Jr. to average 45.3 points per game, which was second-best in the SEC and only behind LSU’s Cameron Thomas, Trendon Watford and Javonte Smart (55.3 PPG) .. The 45.3 PPG was MSU’s highest scoring trio since Dee Bost, Ravern Johnson and Renardo Sidney at 47.1 PPG in 2010-11 … State won 10 of 12 games when Molinar, Smith III and Stewart Jr. each reached double figures during the same game.
2020-21 • BEST GAMES
Smith III began his MSU career with eight consecutive games in double figures sparked by a quartet of double-doubles (Nov. 25-Dec. 21) … Notched 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks against Clemson (Nov. 25) during season opener … Racked up 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks versus Liberty (Nov. 26) … Provided 19 points and 12 rebounds against Jackson State (Dec. 8) … Turned in back-to-back double-doubles with 10 points and 10 rebounds versus Central Arkansas (Dec. 16) followed by 13 points and 12 rebounds against Mississippi Valley State (Dec. 21) … Added 15 points and nine rebounds during State’s 75-63 win over No. 13 Missouri (Jan. 5) … Converted on 7-of-8 shooting en route to 18 points and eight rebounds at Vanderbilt (Jan. 9) … Tucked away his first career 20-10 performance and first SEC double-double with career-highs of 27 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks versus Florida (Jan. 16) … Exploded for 17 points on a flawless 6-for-6 shooting effort in second half … Managed 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals against Iowa State (Jan. 30) at SEC/Big 12 Challenge … Pumped home 24 points and 11 rebounds against LSU (Feb. 10) … Secured 12 points and 13 rebounds versus No. 6 Alabama (Feb. 27) … Came away with eight points, six rebounds and a career-high five assists at Texas A&M (March 3) … Registered 20 points, nine rebounds and two steals at Auburn (March 6) … Collected 13 points and 11 rebounds for eight double-double against Kentucky (March 11) at SEC Tournament.
2019-20 • SOPHOMORE
Smith III practiced with the team and redshirted the 2019-20 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
BEFORE MISSISSIPPI STATE
Smith III spent his freshman season at Western Kentucky under former Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury … Appeared in 34 games where he posted 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game … Shot 58.3 percent from the field (42-of-72) and 57.1 percent at the free throw line (28-of-29) … Did not attempt a three-pointer … Scored his first career points on a traditional three-point play off a layup at No. 25 Washington (Nov. 6) … Tallied six points and six rebounds versus UT Martin (Nov. 10) … Posted a season’s best nine points against No. 13 West Virginia (Nov. 16) … Chipped in five points and hauled down a season-high nine rebounds at Louisiana Tech (Jan. 26) … Held offers from Arkansas LSU, Texas A&M and West Virginia after he entered the transfer portal following the 2018-19 season.
HIGH SCHOOL
Smith III prepped at Kahuku High and Intermediate School in Hawaii where he registered 21.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game as a senior … Named Honolulu Star-Advertiser Player of the Year and ranked No. 1 on the all-defensive team… Also selected as Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division Boys Basketball Player of the Year… Played his sophomore and junior seasons at Bay High School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi … Posted 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game during his junior season … Team finished the 2016-17 season with a 25-6 record and ranked No. 1 in South Mississippi by the Biloxi Sun Herald… Captured the Biloxi Sun Herald’s All-South Mississippi Player of the Year award in 2017-18 … His brother, Galen, played two seasons of NAIA basketball at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans from 2017-18 and 2018-19.
PERSONAL
Born on July 26, 2000 … Majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies.
MEN'S BASKETBALL | Transfer Players Media Session - 7/17/25
Thursday, July 17
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Thursday, June 05
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Thursday, June 05
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Friday, March 21
