The Scout: Presbyterian - EJ Smith
Breaking down the game of Presbyterian new guard EJ Smith
The fifth installment of The Scout is here, this time breaking down Presbyterian’s transfer guard from Lincoln Memorial, EJ Smith.
Without further ado, let’s get right into the breakdown.
Player Bio:
Before transferring to Presbyterian, EJ Smith spent his first two college seasons at D2 Lincoln Memorial.
2024-25 (Freshman Season):
In his true freshman season, EJ Smith appeared in 31 games for the Railsplitters, averaging 8.6 PPG, 2.6 APG, and 2.1 RPG playing 26.9 MPG.
EJ Smith earned SAC All-Freshman Team Honors.
EJ Smith helped the Railsplitters to a 25-6 record and an NCAA Tournament Berth before losing in the First Round to UNC Pembroke.
2025-26 (Sophomore Season)
Despite an offseason coaching change, EJ Smith returned to LMU.
In 31 games, EJ Smith averaged 10.3 PPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.9 RPG across 21.5 MPG.
LMU once again made the NCAA Tournament before falling to D2 Runner Up Lander in the First Round.
Film Review:
True PG:
The biggest pro for Presbyterian getting EJ Smith is something that you don’t even need to tape for, EJ Smith is the definition of a True PG. EJ Smith almost always brings the ball up for LMU and is the conductor of the offseason. Last season, when EJ Smith was on the floor without Drew Lewis (LMU’s main PG), LMU had a Net Rating of +13.2, with an Offensive Rating of 118.4, and a Defensive Rating of 105.3. When Drew Lewis was on the floor without EJ Smith, that Net Rating fell to -1.9, Offensive Rating fell to 110.2, and Defensive Rating fell to 112.1.
Last season, Presbyterian played 15 lineups that qualified for percentile rankings on CBB Analytics. Of those 15 lineups, 4 featured separate PGs; only one other Big South team had that many PGs in its Top 15 lineup: Charleston Southern. CSU played 4 because they had 3 elite PG’s with over 20% Assist Percentage: Luke Williams, A’lahn Sumler, and Jaquias Franklin. Presbyterian had only one PG with an Assist Percentage above 20%, Erik Taylor, who was injured in Game 5 of the season. JD Bowden was the next highest at 19% as a True Freshman.
Having multiple true stand-alone PGs is very important; having one with winning experience like EJ Smith is an absolute game-changer. When EJ Smith is on the floor, he’s vocal, he’s always involved in the play, and is usually the one IN THE PLAY. Now with a healthy Erik Taylor and 2nd year JD Bowden, along with Chaise Smith and now EJ Smith. Presbyterian has one of the best PG rooms.
Jack of All Trades:
One of the best things for Presbyterian with EJ Smith’s game is that he has no glaring flaws in his game. Out of the 19 stats on CBB Analytics’ Player Stat Overview, Smith ranks in the bottom 25th percentile in ZERO statistical category and only ranked below the 50th percentile in 4 total categories. The 4 categories below the 50th percentile are ORB%, DRB%, FT Attempt Rate, and 3PT Attempt Rate. Of those 4 categories, only two are true detriments to a PG: FT Attempt Rate and 3PT Attempt Rate.
Of the 2 below-average categories below, neither is a major need for a Presbyterian PG. Last season, as a team, Presbyterian was in the 2nd percentile for 3PT Attempt Rate, with only 3 players attempting more than 50 3-pointers. For the Free Throw Attempt Rate, LMU as a whole was in the 31st percentile, with EJ ranked 4th on his team with a 65th percentile Shooting Foul Draw Per 40 Minutes. A system that feeds the paint will create chances for EJ to get the line, a place where he shot 80.6% from last season.
Defensive Strengths:
The part that I think has gone underrated in EJ Smith’s game is his ability to guard some of the best guards and give them trouble. The three games I watched, EJ Smith’s main matchups were against a D2 All-American guard, a MM D1 transfer guard who made the D2 Final 4, and a MM D1 transfer guard who averaged 7.7 PPG last season. EJ Smith held the D2 All American to 12 points on 3-12 shooting, including 0-5 from 3. The D2 Final 4 guard scored 11 points with one of his least efficient games of the season, and the MM D1 transfer scored 4 points, shooting 2-7 from the field.
Last year, Presbyterian had two guards in the 50th percentile in DWS, with Carl Parrish at the 67th percentile and Triston Wilson at the 73rd percentile. EJ Smith at LMU last season was in the 71st percentile, and during his freshman season was in the 82nd percentile. Presbyterian has the chance to have one of the best defensive starting 5’s in the Big South if they desire.
Playing Time:
The one concern for me is EJ Smith’s limited playing time compared to what Presbyterian usually asks of its point guards. In EJ Smith’s two seasons so far, he has averaged 26.9 MPG and 21.7 MPG, which is nothing to slouch at, especially as a Junior. Since the 2019-20 season, Presbyterian’s feature PG has averaged 30 MPG or more, with the lowest being Marquis Bennett at 31.5 and 31.7 MPG in 22-23 and 23-24, respectively.
EJ Smith does have the ability to play longer periods throughout the season. We saw that with him playing over 30 minutes in 16 of the games during his freshman season, while competing for minutes against stars like Wes Enis and Elyjah Freeman. Another way I think this can be alleviated comes from the Presbyterian amazing condition program. Carl Parrish spoke about how those offseason workouts have prepared him to play 40-45 minutes if needed.
Final Thoughts:
Presbyterian entered the portal with only one glaring need, and this addition addressed it with EJ Smith. The limit of a true PG is what, at times, held Presbyterian back last season. Last season, Presbyterian ranked 322nd in Turnover Percentage, its lowest in 2021 and tied for the 3rd-lowest since moving to D1. Having a PG that you can trust with the ball should return the turnovers to their normal levels, if not better than those levels.
For Presbyterian, if you can get exactly what EJ did at LMU, I think you are a fan of the addition. EJ Smith might not have the upside of other available guards in the portal, but he might provide some of the flash of other players. The portal is a lot like the NFL draft. If you are in WIN NOW, you fill your biggest need with the most ready player available, and that’s what I think Presbyterian with EJ Smith.