Transfer Portal Deep Dive: USC Upstate Tyler Smith
My thoughts on USC Upstate JUCO Transfer Guard Tyler Smith
As the Transfer Portal, SearchSZN, and all of the other offseason festivities comes to an end. It’s time to start looking forward, WHILE also looking back as we dive into some of the new players for ALL 9 Big South teams.
For analysis: I will pick 3 games, 1 game that stood out as a GOOD game, 1 game that stood out as a BAD game, and 1 games that was average.
(If I can’t find 3 games, I will then go to portal film/shot charts and analytics)
Tyler Smith Background:
After beginning his college career at Mineral Area College under Greg Heiar, when Coach Heiar took the job at Trinity Valley, Tyler Smith chose to make the move along with him and boy. DID IT PAY OFF.
In a season where Trinity Valley ended the season 34-3, Tyler Smith was their lead ball handler and offensive mistro with 10.1 PPG, 4.8 APG and 3 RPG but even more importantly, Smith, Heiar and the whole of Trinity Valley won the NJCAA D1 National Title.
Tyler Smith Game Notes/Review:
Tyler Smith “Good Game”: 1/15/25 vs Navarro
Stats: 17 points (6-12 from the field, 4-6 FT), 5 assists, 2 rebounds
Notes:
Really good passer, just really zips the ball where it needs to go.
Really good ball handler and really good shooting off the dribble.
Not afraid to go up despite contact.
Really good on ball defender, very physical without drawing fouls.
Really light on his feet, just stops on a dime and create space.
Tyler Smith “Average” Game: 3/5/25 vs Blinn
Stats: 9 points (3-7 from 3), 7 assists and 3 rebounds
Notes:
Very vocal player, always talking to teammates and play calling
Strong defender, always stays with his man.
Always finds the open guy on the fast break, really good playmaker.
Really decent shooter, not someone who will light up the scoreboard but good nonetheless.
Tyler Smith “Bad” Game: 1/18/25 vs Lamar State Port Arthur
Stats: 8 points (1-10 from the field, 6-6 FT), 3 assists, 3 rebounds
Notes:
Really active on defense, not scared to double team/trap.
Very good effort, doesn’t give up even during non favorable situations.
Does occasionally try to force his passes and way out of double teams.
Tyler Smith Final Thoughts:
I really like what Marty Richter did here for Upstate, Smith is a solid floor raising guard. Do I know if he’s better than Karmani Gregory? Not really but I think he has a more stable and higher floor than Gregory, Smith just does the fundamentals right and in this day and age that is rare.
It’s hard to win a national title at any level but to do it from a Texas JUCO is TOUGH, even with a coach like Greg Heiar because of that I think Smith has the talent to compete and maybe could crack the starting 5 at one point this year and if he sticks around, he could be an All Conference Member in 26-27.