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Scout Report
Six-foot-eight with a frame that still looks like it's growing into itself, and offers already piling up from three power conferences. That's the Chase Smith reality check for anyone who thought the 2028 class was too far off to matter yet. Arizona State, Auburn, Georgia — they're not waiting around on this one.
Background
Smith grew up in Matthews, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte, and now suits up for Queen's Grant Academy. The school has built itself into a legitimate pipeline in the Charlotte prep scene, and Smith shares the frontcourt spotlight with classmate Mekhi Allen, a 2028 shooting guard ranked #110 nationally. Playing alongside another high-level recruit has sharpened Smith's feel for the game early — he's not the only priority on the scouting sheet when Queen's Grant takes the floor, which has forced him to diversify how he impacts winning. For a freshman-aged prospect, he's already logged reps against attention that most sophomores never see.
Playing Style
Smith plays with a patience that belies his age — he doesn't rush possessions just because he can. At 6-8, he's comfortable facing up from the elbow, putting the ball on the floor two or three dribbles, and attacking a mismatch rather than forcing a post-up every time. He reads the floor well in ball-screen actions, both as the screener and as a short-roll decision-maker, which tells you his IQ is ahead of his body right now. Defensively, he's at his best when he's allowed to roam — closing out on shooters, rotating as a help defender, using his length to bother shots he's not even technically contesting. He's not overpowering anyone in the post yet, but he compensates with footwork and timing rather than just trying to out-muscle smaller opponents. The motor is consistent possession to possession, not just when the ball's in his hands.
Strengths
The face-up game is the separator — comfortable shooting off the catch from mid-range, with enough mechanics in the stroke that extending the range further isn't a stretch. His passing out of the post and out of short-roll situations shows vision that a lot of bigger forwards his age simply don't have. He finishes above the rim in transition when the lane opens up, and his length lets him contest without fouling, which matters for a frontcourt player who needs to stay on the floor. Coaches watching tape see a player who already understands spacing — he doesn't clog driving lanes, and he knows when to relocate rather than stand still.
Areas to Watch
Added strength is the obvious next step — he needs it to hold position against bigger post players and to finish through contact instead of around it. His left hand still lags behind his right on finishes, and that discrepancy shows up more in traffic. Expanding his range out to the three-point line would unlock a different level of recruitment entirely, since a stretch-four with his frame and feel is a different kind of prospect than a traditional face-up forward.
Player Comparison
His build and skill set bring to mind a young Jaren Jackson Jr. — long, mobile, comfortable away from the basket, with shot-blocking instincts that are more about timing than pure verticality. The comparison isn't about ceiling just yet, since Jackson's shooting touch and defensive versatility took years to fully round out, but the archetype — a face-up four who can step away and still protect the rim in spurts — lines up well.
Recruitment
Fifteen D1 offers for a 2028 prospect is a serious number, and the names attached — Arizona State, Auburn, Cal, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, UCF, Charlotte among them — show programs from multiple power conferences are already in on the ground floor. Charlotte's presence on that list makes sense given the hometown ties to Matthews, and local programs often have an edge early even against bigger brands. No commitment is expected soon; with three-plus years before his class signs, this list will almost certainly grow before it narrows. Expect the recruitment to stay fluid through his high school career, with regional SEC and Pac-12-adjacent programs likely to keep pushing hardest given the current offer sheet.
Projection
The college ceiling here is a high-major starting forward who stretches defenses and still protects the rim in a help capacity — the kind of modern four who makes a roster more flexible rather than more traditional. If the perimeter shot and strength both develop on schedule, there's a legitimate NBA draft conversation down the line, likely as a stretch-four or small-ball five who adds value defensively. The range of outcomes is still wide this early, but the base skill package — face-up scoring, passing feel, timing as a defender — gives him a realistic floor as a high-major rotation piece even if the shot never fully stretches out.
Updated Oct 13, 2026 · Analysis by PrepRadar Scouting Team
Career Journey
Queen's Grant Academy
PREP SCHOOL
Team CP3
AAU
Career Highlights
THANK YOU @TerrapinHoops for an amazing game and unofficial visit! The game, the campus, the vibe.....I had a great experience overall!
2028 6'8 Chase Smith (Queens Grant) stayed productive with his interior presence and feel for the game. Made smart reads out of the post, finished through contact, and consistently impacted the glass. High-IQ forward who finds ways to produce.
Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Mississippi.
Offers
15
Arizona State
Auburn
Cal
Georgia
Georgia TechOffers sourced from 247Sports and social media monitoring.
Social Activity
Blessed to receive a official offer from the University of South Carolina. #agtG
FINAL DAY 2 GAME 5 #PhenomMikeGminski presented by Sana Recovery Queens Grant 67 Bobby Montgomery 18p 3r 4a 1s (6 3s) Mekhi Allen (MVP) 17p 4r 3a 3s @Mj35Allen Chase Smith 13p 8r 2a 2b 1s Cannon DeBerry 8p 2r 1b West Charlotte 61 AC Pressley 20p 2r 1a 1s Kaharri Coleman 13p 3r https://t.co/zA2j4on1t1
Queens Grant vs. West Charlotte highlights. Tough game but we came home with the W. https://t.co/XHlDge6Iin