Aggies Ink Standout Florida Guard

COLLEGE STATION-Shawn Smith, a shooting guard from Jacksonville, Fla., has signed a national letter-of-intent to play basketball at Texas A&M, head coach Billy Kennedy announced Wednesday.

Smith, a Chicago native who prepped last season at Faith Baptist Christian School in Jacksonville, can play multiple positions in the backcourt for the Aggies. ESPN.com rated him as a top-40 shooting guard nationally and as the ninth-best in the state of Florida.

"We are really excited to have Shawn join our Aggie family," Kennedy said. "His versatility offensively and mental toughness defensively will add great depth at the guard position."

An ESPNHS Florida preseason all-state selection, Smith has seen tremendous success on the court-especially on the AAU circuit. He led his 16 and under team to the Florida state championship in the summer of 2010, earning Player of the Year honors. In addition, Smith was a two-time all-tournament pick at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions and earned an invitation to the prestigious NBA Players Association camp last summer.

Smith is an impressive and important addition to an already strong Texas A&M signing class, which includes November signees Alex Caruso and J-Mychal Reese.

2011-12 TEXAS A&M SIGNEES (3)

Name                          Pos.     Ht.       Wt.      Cl.       Hometown (High School)

Alex Caruso*              G         6-5       180      Fr.        College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated HS)

J'Mychal Reese*          G         6-2       170      Fr.        Bryan, Texas (Bryan HS)

Shawn Smith              G         6-4       180      Fr.        Jacksonville, Fla. (Faith Baptist Christian School)

* signed in November early period