George Smith, former standout at Robertson, is now a Sandia Matador

A team changer? No question.

A Class 5A game changer? George Smith at the very least brings that question to the table.

It’s only a few weeks until the 2025 prep football season kicks off, and it’s about 4½ months from the start of basketball season.

The transfer of Smith, a gifted 6-foot sophomore guard, from Robertson, the reigning 3A boys state basketball champion, to Sandia, last March’s 5A state runner-up, is going to be a major talking point next winter as he moved from Las Vegas to Albuquerque and has joined the Matadors.

“I would say my decision ... I wanted more exposure and wanted to play against bigger and better talent,” said Smith, who averaged 15.7 points and 3.5 assists last season for Robertson.

Smith is likely to be a two-sport standout for Sandia. In football, he’s an offensive skill position talent, as a running back and receiver. He also plays cornerback.

But given Sandia’s status on the hardwood, it’s basketball where Smith figures to have the greatest impact.

The Matadors fell in overtime to Volcano Vista last March in the 5A championship game.

“George is an athlete that should be playing at the highest level in our state,” said Volcano Vista coach Greg Brown. “He’s one of the best athletes in the state.”

Smith joins what is easily going to be the most dangerous and dynamic backcourt trio in New Mexico.

Sandia already had two stellar freshman guards, Gad Harris and Isaiah Brown, on its roster, and with Smith the Matadors will have a three-headed sophomore monster running the show. And pace certainly will be a vital component for Sandia, which graduated the majority of its size and experience off the 2024-25 team, and will be a noticeably smaller group come winter.

Sandia drained a state record number of 3-pointers (339) last season; Isaiah Brown in particular might be the most fearless shooter in 5A basketball. Smith can shoot it, too, but his strength lies in his ability to drive and create around the cup.

“He brings an element of athleticism, and explosion, to the rim,” Sandia coach Danny Brown said. “I kind of liken him to Anthony Edwards (of the Minnesota Timberwolves) in a way, just how explosive he is. He’s very shifty.”

As for moving up to 5A?

“If you’re a player,” Brown responded, “you’re a player. It doesn’t matter at what level. He’s an exceptional athlete.”

Smith said he was looking at transferring to one of two schools in Albuquerque — Eldorado or Sandia.

“Sandia,” he said, “fit my playing style.”

Smith, who can play both point and shooting guard — he expects to be running the point for Sandia — has been in action with his new teammates this summer. Brown said the adjustments that come with a new, key piece to the lineup did not concern him.

“Chemistry, I’m not worried about it,” he said. “They’ve played with each other for a while. They’ve had a good summer together. (And) he takes a lot of the pressure off Zay and Gad.”

Neither is Smith, 15 but with two varsity seasons at Robertson already behind him, worried about adapting to the change in school, in teammates, or in competition.

“We play with each other really well,” he said, adding, “I think this team can be amazing.”

Smith was asked what he’s going to bring to the Matadors.

“I’m going to be a downhill kind of guy,” Smith said. “Make plays for other guys.”

Greg Brown’s Hawks will be chasing a fifth straight 5A state championship next season, but Volcano Vista graduated nearly all its best players. The addition of Smith certainly alters the 5A picture. To what degree remains the big mystery.

“He’s gonna fit in very well with the system at Sandia,” said Greg Brown, Danny’s brother, “because of the pace and tempo they play with.”