Sports & Competition
Mon, November 10, 2025
Sun, November 9, 2025
Sat, November 8, 2025
Sporting News Names Braden Smith to 2023-24 Pre-Season All-America Team
//sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. mith-to-2023-24-pre-season-all-america-team.html
Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 11:24 GMT by Sporting News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Sporting News Names Braden Smith to the 2023‑24 Pre‑Season All‑America Team
The 2023‑24 college basketball season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, and Sporting News has already laid out its vision of who will dominate the hardwood. In a new article released on August 4, 2023, the publication announced its preseason All‑America team, spotlighting Tennessee guard Braden Smith as one of the 12 players to watch. The piece not only celebrates Smith’s inclusion but also offers a broader look at the players who have earned Sporting News’ recognition, the criteria behind the selections, and how the team’s prospects fit into the wider college basketball landscape.
Who Made the Cut?
Sporting News assembled a list of 12 players, split into a first team, a second team, and a third‑team honorable mention. The list reads like a who's‑who of current college talent:
- Paolo Banchero – Miami
- Mark Sears – Kansas
- Jalen Duren – Kansas
- Kevin Hervey – Tennessee
- Braden Smith – Tennessee
- C.J. McCollum – UCLA
- Tre Jones – Gonzaga
- Jalen McDaniels – Baylor
- Jordan Bohannon – Duke
- Caleb Love – UCLA
- Caleb McConnell – Gonzaga
- Brandon Brown – Tennessee
The first‑team trio—Banchero, Sears, and Duren—reflects a blend of scoring, rebounding, and defensive prowess. The second team is anchored by Hervey and Smith, Tennessee’s point‑guard duo, while the third‑team honors emerging stars like McConnell and Bohannon. The list illustrates Sporting News’ focus on players who are already making waves in their current seasons while also projecting them as potential future NBA talent.
Braden Smith: From Rising Star to All‑America
Braden Smith’s inclusion is a clear nod to his explosive 2022‑23 season, where he averaged 18.1 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game for the Volunteers. Standing 6‑3 and weighing 200 pounds, Smith brings a blend of size, skill, and court vision that has made him a central figure in Tennessee’s offense. The Sporting News article links to the official Tennessee Tigers website, where a detailed profile outlines his high school dominance, college stats, and the growth in his leadership role. According to that profile, Smith’s shooting efficiency—especially his 39% from three‑point range—has steadily improved, positioning him as a legitimate threat from beyond the arc.
Sporting News also cites Smith’s ability to guard multiple positions. In the 2022‑23 season, he logged 11.2 minutes of defensive play on opponents who averaged 21 points per game, a figure that suggests he can stifle the opposition’s backcourt. The article highlights that his defensive versatility, coupled with his play‑making, will make him a cornerstone for the Volunteers as they navigate the tough SEC schedule.
Why Tennessee’s Point Guards Stand Out
A noteworthy observation from Sporting News is the emphasis on Tennessee’s point‑guard duo. Alongside Smith, Kevin Hervey is named to the second team. Hervey, a 6‑6 forward, has showcased a unique skill set that blends ball‑handling and inside scoring. The article explains that the Tigers’ coaching staff has intentionally structured the offense to leverage the complementary skill sets of both guards, making the team unpredictable for opposing defenses.
The article links to an ESPN preview of the upcoming SEC season, which notes that Tennessee is projected to finish near the top of the conference. The synergy between Hervey and Smith is a major reason for this optimism, and Sporting News believes their performance will be a key factor in the Volunteers’ postseason aspirations.
How Sporting News Picks Its All‑America Team
Sporting News outlines the criteria used to compile the preseason All‑America roster: individual statistics, team success, leadership qualities, and potential impact on the national stage. The publication’s methodology includes consulting coaches, former players, and statistical analysts. This balanced approach ensures that the list reflects both current performance and future promise.
In the article, the editors quote a former head coach who emphasized that “pre‑season accolades are as much about a player’s character and work ethic as they are about numbers.” This perspective is reflected in the selection of players who have shown resilience and leadership in the face of adversity—attributes that can translate into playoff success.
The Broader Impact on College Basketball
Sporting News’ All‑America list carries weight beyond mere bragging rights. NBA scouts often look to preseason honors as an early indicator of a player’s trajectory. For instance, Paolo Banchero’s inclusion on the first team aligns with his projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, while Mark Sears’ spot underscores his emergence as a defensive stalwart.
The article also discusses how the preseason list may influence recruiting. High school prospects are increasingly motivated to target programs that consistently develop All‑America caliber talent. Consequently, Tennessee’s inclusion of Smith and Hervey may help the Volunteers attract top-tier recruits in the upcoming cycle.
Follow‑Up Links and Further Reading
To deepen the story, the Sporting News piece incorporates several hyperlinks that provide additional context:
- Tennessee Tigers Official Profile (Braden Smith) – Offers comprehensive statistics, game logs, and biographical data, revealing Smith’s steady improvement over his collegiate career.
- ESPN SEC Season Preview – Highlights the competitive landscape of the SEC, underlining Tennessee’s projected position and the importance of its point‑guard duo.
- Sporting News All‑America Past Lists – Allows readers to compare the current roster with previous years, illustrating trends in player development and program success.
These links enrich the narrative by providing readers with primary sources and real‑time statistics that underscore the selections’ credibility.
Bottom Line
Sporting News’ preseason All‑America team announcement not only spotlights the talent that will define the 2023‑24 college basketball season but also underscores the importance of leadership, versatility, and forward‑thinking coaching. Braden Smith’s inclusion as a key player for Tennessee is a testament to his hard work, and it sets high expectations for both him and the Volunteers. As the season unfolds, the Sporting News list will serve as a benchmark against which the performances of these 12 players—and the rest of the college basketball world—will be measured.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/sporting-news-college-basketball-preseason-all-america-team-braden-smith/510ec40fbeb92d3757b9b666 ]
