Future Terp Jalen Smith named BCL Player of the Year

Already named a 2018 McDonald's All-American, Baltimore (Md.) Mount St. Joseph five-star forward Jalen Smith was named Baltimore Catholic League Player of the Year for the second consecutive season on Monday.

“It’s a great honor, it means a lot that people recognize my game out of all the great players in our league they chose me and it’s pretty much a blessing and I thank God for allowing me to do it,” Smith told the Baltimore Sun.

Smith joined elite company at the BCL's annual awards luncheon on Monday, becoming the first player to win back-to-back Player of the Year honors since St. Frances' Mark Karcher, who won the award three consecutive years from 1995 through 1997. Karcher starred at Temple University under Hall of Fame coach John Cheney before being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in second round of the 2000 NBA Draft.

Smith, who along with current Terps guard Darryl Morsell led the Gaels to both a BCL and MIAA A championship a season ago, is currently averaging 24 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks per game. Mount St. Joseph is currently 27-4 and begins postseason play on Tuesday.