Meet Tico Smith: The youngest varsity basketball player in Marion County

Tico Smith isn’t your average eighth-grade basketball player. As a stocky 5’8 point guard, he doesn’t look like your traditional headache on the hardwood, except he’s led the county in scoring.

That’s right, the best scoring threat in Marion County isn’t even in high school yet. When he gets his learner permit, our next president will be two years into their term. When he graduates in 2028 he could be the face of Ocala basketball.

“He’s always played above his age group,” said his father, Robert. “In the seventh grade, he had 20-point games, and it wasn’t a kiddie carry the team. It was, 'Hey, Tico has another 23, 25, 28 points every single game.'”

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Tico’s 23.9 points per game earned him the county scoring title and a bounce-back year for Meadowbrook Academy. With four years of varsity in front of him, he may just be scratching the surface of his potential.

Basketball runs deep in the Smith family. Tico has older twin sisters who were foundational members of Meadowbrook’s girls team as freshmen and had roles with a talented West Port team as sophomores. His oldest sister, Rain Smith, played for Vanguard, but it was Robert’s late older brother who sparked the family’s love for the game.

Tico started to put his love into his craft two years ago, but he’s been dedicated to the game long before then. While just a third grader at Redeemer Christian, Tico rooted, traveled, and practiced with the fifth- and sixth-grade team. A year later, he became their leading scorer.

“They went from 5th and 6th to 4th, 5th, and 6th, and I was like, could it be because of Tico,” Tico’s mother, Xochitl Smith, said. “It showed us the character this young man has.”

For Tico, he knew his way to playing time would be to show his dedication, and he’s doing it every day with multiple training sessions and unshakable confidence. He’s already seeing an athletic trainer to improve his body and athleticism. Alex Jordan, a family friend so close the Smith family has practically adopted him, trains and films every workout he takes Tico and his sisters through.

“Like a machine that has loose screws, you watch them play and find out what screws need to be tightened,” Jordan said.

Playing at the varsity level is daunting for most middle school athletes. Adjusting the speed, size, and strength while playing with players you look up to takes time. Time that Tico lost to a broken hand one month before the season began.

One day before the season, Tico was released from his cast. He made his varsity debut with 10 points, then ran off a 15-game streak of 20 or more points.

“I work too hard, so I know they can’t stop me,” Tico said.

Out-of-context quotes like that can make Tico sound arrogant, but it’s quite the opposite. Overall, he’s humble, but there’s one thing he knows he can do: its put the ball in the basket. He could have extended his scoring streak into the Florida Catholic Association League playoffs if not for an Achilles strain.

On and off the court, Tico is a humble kid dedicated to being the best version of himself. That means looking out for struggling teammates or receiving limited playing time. It also means waiting to play Fortnite on the weekends so he has time to finish his schoolwork: A task Xochitl won't let him forget.

Basketball isn’t the end all be all for Tico or the Smiths. Ringer uses the game to teach them how to respond to adversity and, most importantly, show them how dedication can help them reach their goals.

If Tico can keep up his play through his 2028 graduation date, opportunities will come his way. Asking that journey, he’ll learn about himself, the game, and what it takes to reach high levels in anything he sets his mind.

“You’ve got to be in that one percent where GOD places you,” Robert said. “When we’re in that one percent, it’s time for us to elevate. What’s the next challenge?”.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala's Tico Smith is ready for varsity basketball and he's only an eighth grader