Chris Beard: ‘Rec center legend’ Max Smith ‘one of our best shooters’ and stories

Walk-on Max Smith is one of just four returners for Ole Miss basketball from last season. 

His value to the program goes far beyond the court. 

Rebel head coach Chris Beard and staff discovered Smith the spring of their first season. Before Ole Miss Beard coached the Texas Longhorns. Among the connectors to Smith was his high school coach in Austin, who Beard knows well.

“Max was a really good high school player in Austin, Texas,” said Beard, who’s entering his third year leading the Rebels. “Had a lot of scholarship offers, but wanted to come to Ole Miss. Basically graduated the business school here with a 4.0 and just loves to hoop. 

“Rec[reation] center legend. He’d go to the high school here and shoot on the gun at night. He’s a college kid — he’s in a frat [and] making good grades.”

Smith had a full ride to NYU. However, when Beard offered him the opportunity to join the Rebels he didn’t hesitate.

“He said, ‘Coach, I’m all-in,’” Beard said. “‘I want to play college basketball. I don’t want to live the rest of my life and have these regrets.’

“We’re always trying to increase our team. The guy knows how to play basketball. One of the best shooters on the team, but much more than that. He knows how to hoop.”

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Get to know Max Smith!#HottyToddy x #Culture pic.twitter.com/079puvrPES

— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) June 17, 2025

Ole Miss last season won 24 games and reached the NCAA Tournament for the 10th time in school history. 

The Rebels matched the program’s greatest-ever single-season accomplishment in reaching the Sweet 16. 

Smith didn’t appear in any games. He didn’t have much choice after an ACL injury took him out. Smith averaged 24 points per game at Anderson High School.

“I’m fighting back right now,” Smith said. “Just trying to get 100 percent back on the court.”

“About this time last year Max was playing really well,” Beard said. “He’s making shots and getting his legs back under him. Hadn’t played competitive basketball in three or four years, then he got hurt. That was a tough one. He’d be shooting free throws on one leg [in practice]. Could tell his love of the game never went away.”

Smith had another decision to make this off-season. The Rebels turned over their roster with seven transfers, an international signee and three Top 100 high school recruits. 

He could have pursued opportunities elsewhere. Others did. TJ Caldwell, Robert Cowherd, John Bol and Ja’Von Benson all left via the NCAA Transfer Portal. 

Again, though, his decision was an easy one.

Now Smith’s inching closer to a return to the floor.

“A lot of respect for Max,” Beard said. “Every team, the story is always told of the leading scorer, the veteran or what people perceive to be your best player. But championship teams, in my experience, it’s always been every guy.

“One of our core values has always been love of the game. We’re not looking for guys that like the game. Really, we’re not looking for guys that love the game. We’re looking for guys that are addicted to the game. 

“The sacrifices this guy’s made to play college basketball … is an awesome story. This is why we have a lot of internal optimism right now with our group. We have talent. Everybody does. We have some experience. Most people do. But we’re starting to see Week 4 this summer we might have some of those special stories. Really pulling for Max.”

Smith believes the Rebels have another contender in the making.

“This team’s a lot more athletic,” Smith said. “I think we’re deeper. Like coach says, ‘Strength in numbers.’ We’re a lot better shooting team as well. We play really hard. I feel like our defense is going to be one of the best in the SEC this year.”