Blueprint Basketball     

Steve Smith

    BASKETBALL

     Steve starred for Taft High School in the San Fernando Valley in both basketball and football. He played varsity basketball for four years.   Steve along with Jordan Farmer (Los Angeles Laker) led Taft to the City semi-finals his senior year, where they lost to Westchester the eventual city champions. 

•  Varsity starter as a freshman
•  All league for four years
•  All City Selection as a sophmore
•  High school All-American

FOOTBALL

     His high school career did not end there. Steve's football prowess is well renowned.  He set the state record for most receptions in a varsity career and led the Toreadors to two consecutive Los Angeles City Section Championship games.

• Varsity starter as a sophmore
• Parade All-American
• 2003 U.S. Army All-American game participant
• 2nd round NFL draft pick
• Has led the NFL in receptions, yards and touchdowns
• 2010 Pro Bowl

Rico Marshall

   Rico was a  three year varsity  basketball player,  and a varsity track athlete during his three year career at Taft high school.  He  then transferred to Sylmar high school his senior year where he  sharpened his skills under the  tutelage of Bort Escoto to become one of the top point guards in the city . He also led Sylmar in assists, steals and 3pt. shooting percentage. 

     Rico learned his strong work ethic from his parents Maria and Larry Marshall as well as close family friends.  Rico  lists  Larry Marshall, Robert Icart (B.T.I. Hoops) and Bort Escoto (Sylmar head basketball coach)  as his inspiration to begin coaching and Robert Icart as the  ground work for his coaching philosophy. 

    He started coaching in 2004 and is known for his high intensity guard training clinics.  Rico preaches basketball fundamentals, intensity, communication and most of all intelligence to his basketball players.

Who We Are

Steve Smith and Rico Marshall were top high school basketball players in the San Fernando Valley.  Their play led to several college basketball scholarship offers.  Steve and Rico both played varsity basketball at Taft High School (Woodland Hills) for four years.

Rico & Steve  have been coached by some of L.A. County's finest coaches.  They have played with and against some of the best, including current NBA players, Gilbert Arenas, Jordan Farmar, Nick Young, Marcus Williams and Gabe Pruitt, all San Fernando valley area basketball athletes.