News Summary
Temple University men’s basketball coach Adam Fisher announced the signing of transfer guard AJ Smith from the College of Charleston. With substantial experience and talent, Smith is expected to significantly contribute to the Owls’ roster for the upcoming season. Having excelled in prior seasons, including a standout performance at Charleston, Smith brings offensive and defensive versatility that aims to enhance the team’s competitiveness as they build for the future.
Philadelphia — Temple University men’s basketball head coach Adam Fisher announced the signing of transfer guard AJ Smith from the College of Charleston for the upcoming 2025-26 season. This addition marks a significant step in the program’s efforts to strengthen its roster ahead of the new season.
AJ Smith, who has previously played for The Citadel and the College of Charleston, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Owls. With only one year of eligibility remaining, Smith’s skills on both offense and defense are expected to contribute significantly to the team’s success. His versatility in guarding multiple positions was a pivotal reason behind his recruitment to Temple.
In the recently completed 2024-25 season at Charleston, Smith started 20 games and participated in a total of 30 contests. He delivered an impressive average of 11.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, successfully scoring in double figures 17 times and surpassing the 20-point mark in four different games. This follows his notable performance during his sophomore year at The Citadel, where he averaged 16.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per outing, showcasing his scoring capability by shooting 45.3% from the field.
Throughout the 2023-24 season, Smith distinguished himself by ranking fifth in the Southern Conference in various statistical categories, including scoring and shooting efficiency. He enters the upcoming season with a career total of 992 points, making him a valuable asset for Temple as he aims to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
Smith’s background reveals a strong connection to Temple University, with family ties that include alumni on his mother’s and grandfather’s side, and an uncle who is a professor at the institution. This familial legacy, coupled with his athletic achievements, which include being the all-time leading scorer at Hickory Grove Christian School with 2,500 career points, highlights Smith’s longstanding relationship with the university.
In high school, Smith was particularly remarkable, averaging 25 points per game as a sophomore and 28 points during his junior year. His collegiate journey began at The Citadel, where he averaged 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in his freshman year. After transferring to Charleston, he saw a substantial improvement in his shooting, although numbers fluctuated in his final season—shooting 43.1% from the floor but only 25% from three-point range.
During his senior year, Smith played under coach Chris Mack and contributed to Charleston’s successful 24-9 record. He averaged 25.5 minutes per game during the season, highlighting his competitive presence on the court. Smith also garnered attention from various colleges, including Washington, UNLV, Fordham, New Mexico, and James Madison, before ultimately choosing to join the Temple Owls.
AJ Smith becomes the tenth newcomer to the Temple men’s basketball team ahead of the 2025-26 season, joining a varied group of transfers and incoming freshmen. Coach Fisher has been actively building the team during the offseason to ensure all needs are addressed as they prepare for the forthcoming campaign. With the addition of Smith, Temple aims to enhance its performance and competitiveness in the upcoming season.
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Additional Resources
- Temple University News
- 247 Sports
- Athlon Sports
- BVM Sports
- Sports Illustrated
- Wikipedia: AJ Smith
- Google Search: AJ Smith basketball
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: AJ Smith basketball
- Google News: AJ Smith basketball
