Student Athlete of the Week – La Quinta’s Brayden Smith

When it comes to water polo here in the valley there is no question who the best player is this season. La Quinta’s Brayden Smith can never be left open cause if he is left open he will make you pay.

“I’m trying to get used to it. Being the guy is definitely hard. People play you differently and you get two, three, four guys on you. You got to break it especially if you are going to be the guy. People depend on you and you depend on other people so you just got to put it away when you need too, ” Brayden Smith said.

A tool belt full of skills both on the water and the dry land.

“I like to build cars, I like to do Volkswagen Beetles. I work with my boss we work on Ferraris and exotic cars and all that. I’m definitely involved in the car world which I love,” Smith said.

The engine starter in the garage. Here is some of the recent examples from a Shad McQueen to a Corvette and the engine of this La Quinta team.

“Leader through and through for this team. Definitely our team captain. He’s a captain in and out of the pool. The kids love him, they follow him, follow his lead. He is a good young man,” Cal Lowell said.

“I get home from practice and I’m drained like I said being the guy I just got to get through it. It’s my last year so I need to tough it out. Really start thinking about my future,” Smith said.

Water polo is certainly going to be in the future one way or another.

“I really hope it does. If I don’t play for a U or a JC I hope I will play recreationally and have fun and get out there and practice like old times,” Smith said.

Money in the water and hopefully in the pocket.

“I want to make a lot of money but that’s everyone,” Smith said.