Suffolk Reporter

William Floyd High School senior Jawuan Smith was recognized before a recent game for achieving a significant milestone in his basketball career. On January 4, during a match against Half Hollow Hills East, Smith reached the 1,000-point mark with a performance that included nine points and 12 rebounds. This achievement makes him the first player from William Floyd to reach this milestone since Devonte Dixon did so in the 2014-15 season.

Following the ceremony on January 8, Smith contributed significantly to his team's victory over Riverhead by scoring 16 points and securing 10 rebounds. The Colonials won decisively with a score of 71-39, maintaining their strong position at the top of League I with an overall record of 10-3 and an undefeated streak in league play.

Head coach Will Slinkosky praised Smith's dedication and resilience: “Scoring 1,000 points in your career means you were able to take care of your body and stay injury free – play through pain, discomfort, and fight through adversity.” Coach Slinkosky emphasized that reaching such a milestone requires extra effort in practice and offseason training, as well as building trust with teammates.

“These are the exact reasons why Jawuan Smith was able to accomplish this honor. Our coaching staff, teammates and especially Coach D are extremely proud,” added Coach Slinkosky.

Smith has been averaging a double-double each game for two consecutive seasons. His achievements have earned him recognition among Newsday’s top 100 boys’ basketball players on Long Island for two years running. Additionally, he has been named All-League, All-Conference, All-County player and was selected for Newsday’s 2024 All-Long Island First Team.