STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern Men's Basketball has signed senior combo guard Ike Smith to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play for the Eagles beginning in the 2015-16 season. Smith, a native of Gainesville, Fla. will graduate soon from Gainesville High School.

"We are very excited to add Ike during this signing period," said Head Coach Mark Byington. "He fits perfect in our style of play, and I was very impressed with his versatility. He can play four different positions and has a very good combination of skill and athleticism. Ike should make an immediate impact because of his strength, basketball intelligence, and toughness."

As a senior, Ike helped lead Gainesville High School to the FHSAA 6-A State Championship Game this season. A 6-4 combo guard, he scored 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Adept at shooting from spots around the floor, he hit 40% of his shots from downtown in 2014-15.

He was named Big School Player of the Year by The Gainesville Sun in addition to all-area honors. In the 6-A Championship game this year, Smith dropped a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to Miami-Norland.

Smith chose Georgia Southern over offers from South Alabama, Jacksonville University, Tennessee Tech, Western Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Ohio, and Arkansas State.

Smith joins the proud tradition of Georgia Southern student-athletes from the Gainesville area. Willie Powers III scored more than 1,000 career points for the Blue and White following his prep career at Gainesville's P.K. Yonge High School. Tracy Ham, a graduate of Alachua Santa Fe High School, went on to a Hall of Fame career at Georgia Southern on the gridiron as well as in the Canadian Football League. A native of High Springs, Fla., Ham currently serves as Associate Athletics Director at Georgia Southern.

Smith joins forward Montae Glenn from Carrolton, Ga. who signed in November's early signing period.

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