By Cardell Dudley
To say that you may have been the greatest athlete to ever come out of the basketball factory known as Oak Hill Academy is saying a lot. Yet for Josh Smith that statement is one that is truly appropriate. Yes, Smith is now a 11 year NBA veteran suiting up for the Detroit Pistons with career averages of 15.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, I get that. Although, at Oak Hill, he was the third ranked player in the country with athleticism and size (6'9 210) that had pro scouts drooling and was the cornerstone on one of the greatest teams that Oak Hill has ever produced. Teaming up with future NBA star in his own right Rajon Rondo, Smith helped lead Oak Hill to a 38-0 record by averaging 22 points per game, eight rebounds, three steals, four assists and six blocks per game, winning the elusive 2004 National Championship in the process. As impressive as that team was, Smith aerial assaults surpassed even what the team accomplished. The term man-child is definitely a label that should be associated with Smith during his high school career. He routinely put opposing defenders in the basket and turned rowdy opposing crowds into converted fans by the time the game was over. Smith would ultimately ride his stellar play and momentum to the NBA straight out of high school, as he would be selected 17th overall by his hometown Atlanta Hawks in 2004 NBA Draft. Take a look at the now legendary exploits of Smith while at Oak Hill below.