STARKVILLE, Miss ­– Heralded all-state performer Shaunessy Smith of Noxubee County High School in Macon (Miss.) celebrated his birthday on Wednesday by signing a national letter of intent with Mississippi State University, 11th-year Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury announced. 

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound versatile guard averaged 25.1 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals last year as a junior for coach T.J. Billups, despite battling all season with a torn ligament in his right hip.

Known for his athleticism and ball-handling skills, Smith is ranked as the 99th top prospect in the country by PrepStars.com, while he is listed as a four-star standout and ranked as the 23rd best shooting guard in the country by Scout.com.

Smith, a starter for Tigers since he was a freshman, is described by ESPN recruiting director Bob Gibbons as someone who, “Can score from outside, mid-range or slashing to the hoop. He is a highly skilled guard and a very unselfish, team-oriented player who does whatever is necessary to help his team win. I consider him a likely starter for the Bulldogs next season, and a future SEC standout. Look for Smith to sky rocket in the nationally player ratings since he is, perhaps, the most under-the radar talent in the Class of 2009.”

As a junior in leading his team to a 23-11 record, Smith scored 25-plus points 12 times and poured in a season high 41 points twice against Lanier and New Hope.

As a sophomore, people started to take notice after he averaged 19 points an outing to go along with his 8.2 rebounds, three steals and 2.6 assists.

“We are happy to have Shaunessy join the Mississippi State basketball family,” said Stansbury, MSU’s all-time winningest coach. “He has a terrific upside in that he comes from an outstanding high school where he got great coaching. So, his adjustment to the college level will be minimized. He’s also a great kid, and someone that comes from a great family.”

The accolades haven’t been in short supply for the highly-touted Smith. Considered the top basketball player in the state of Mississippi by numerous publications, the Clarion-Ledger has tabbed him a Dandy Dozen selection the last two years. He’s also a two-time member of the Columbus Commercial Dispatch’s all-area team, and as a sophomore, he was the only underclassman to receive all-state status.