KJ Smith: My transition to covering basketball recruiting for On3

After 20 years of playing basketball, I announced on my official Instagram KJ Smith that I decided to retire.

As a result of retirement, I no longer play point guard for UNC but now have a new position on a team called On3.

My coach has switched from the basketball legend Roy Williams to the tech legend Shannon Terry. This summer, I accepted my new position as a national basketball analyst, which allows me to interview and scout different players all over the country.

It has been a fun adjustment.

In just three short months of being with On3, I have been blessed enough to scout in Atlanta for the EYBL Nike tournaments, in Los Angeles at top-ranked Sierra Canyon high school games, in Miami for the Ballin’ on the Beach tournament, in Las Vegas for the Fab 48 and in North Carolina for the Team Takeover Invitational.

Throughout all these tournaments and camps, I’ve had four takeaways I would tell any kid trying to get recruited to play college basketball.  

Four Keys For College Recruits

1. Know your role. It’s not all about offense
2. College coaches love players with charisma.
3. Energy and enthusiasm while playing is a talent.  
4. Have fun because these AAU moments don’t last forever.

New Endeavors

To complement my scouting and recruiting duties for On3, my partner in crime and I decided to make a basketball podcast.

Joe Tipton makes major headlines in player commitments.

It is essential for our podcast to be a space where young athletes can be themselves.

Our show will discuss basketball from the middle school to the NBA level.

Joe and I share a mutual love for the game and can’t wait to share our knowledge with the world. We have tons of content and interviews coming soon and can’t wait for the world to see them.

It is a blessing to have this opportunity and I am extremely excited for this new journey with On3.