Brandon Smith signs letter of intent with Gophers

Brandon Smith, a 6-5 shooting guard/small forward from Minneapolis (MN) Patrick Henry who committed to Minnesota in August, signed his letter of intent with the Gophers Wednesday at a signing-day ceremony at the school. Smith is the first player from the Minneapolis City Conference to sign with the Gophers since John Thomas.

Brandon Smith had been looking at Marquette, Oklahoma (where former Henry standouts Lawrence McKenzie and Johnnie Gilbert play) and Minnesota. Smith, who is considered by many as the top senior-to-be in the state of Minnesota, averaged 16 points and five rebounds per game last season as the Patriots finished 21-8, losing to Armstrong in the Section 5AAAA finals after winning three straight state titles. He is an excellent student with a 3.8 GPA and plans to major in business in college. Smith played at the ABCD camp and played AAU ball as a member of Team Minnesota.