For the first time in roughly 15 years, a basketball standout from Powell is going to play for the Northwest College Trappers.

Powell High School’s all-time leading scorer, Kalei Smith, signed a letter of intent on Thursday, formally committing him to Northwest College’s men’s basketball team.

Smith has a long-standing appreciation of head basketball coach Brian Erickson and “it’s just close to home,” he said of his decision to attend NWC.

With it being his first year in the program, Smith expects his role on the team will depend on how he comes in and plays. But he’s aiming high.

“I hope to take on the same role I did at the high school, of being the leader and the one that the team looks to in the tight situations,” Smith said.

Coach Erickson said he is “very excited” to get Smith on his squad.

“He’s such a good scorer offensively. We need him to ... improve on the defensive end, but I think he scores it so well that I think he fits with how we play — a little bit faster and (with) guys that can put the ball in the hoop,” Erickson said.

Smith averaged 23.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a Powell High School senior last season. He shot 48.7 percent from the floor and 76.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Erickson said he got to know Smith through basketball camps and other functions over the years, watching him develop into “a great player at Powell High School.”

Smith recalls Erickson saying he’d always have a jersey ready for him.

“I guess I just took that as a really reassuring thing, like he really believes in me,” Smith said, adding, “We’ve talked about not only bettering me in basketball, but bettering me as a person, too — which is good and will help me grow up a lot.”

The Trapper men had a stellar 2014-15 campaign that took them all the way to the NJCAA Division I Men’s National Basketball Championship quarterfinals. However, they’ll have only one player returning with significant game experience from the past season, Erickson said.

“We don’t have a ton coming back, but I really like our guys coming in,” the coach said. “We have a lot of freshmen, so we need some guys to step up real early and show everyone how it’s done.”

He said the Trapper men always have crucial contributors from Wyoming, specifically noting a string of successful players from Lovell. However, the coach believes Smith will be the Trappers’ first Powell player since West Hernandez, who played between 1998 and 2000.

“Great to have a hometown kid be able to stay here and play,” Erickson said.

Smith’s presence could be an added incentive for locals to fill the stands and cheer on the Trappers.

“Powell’s just so big in supporting the high school, but also the college and all the sports. So I think it’s a good draw,” Erickson said. “Guys still want to watch Kalei play and keep developing.”

The Trappers’ 2015-16 season will begin in October.

NWC’s fall classes, meanwhile, start Aug. 24 and Smith plans to study elementary physical education.