Prized five-star 2022 guard Nick Smith Jr. will make an unofficial visit to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, sources told HBCU Sports Saturday.
The 6-foot-4 Sylvan Hills High School combo guard currently ranks No. 20 overall, according to 247Sports and second in Arkansas for the 2022 class.
Smith has visited Alabama, Auburn and Kansas. He also plans to make stops at Arkansas and Oklahoma in the fall.
Additionally, Smith has potential suitors in Kentucky (which recently made an official offer), NBL in Australia and Overtime Elite.
Smith discussed with prep recruiting site On3.com what he values during the courtship process.
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“I’m a loyal dude. If you’ve been recruiting me for a while… I’m gonna still rock with you,” said Smith. “Just because they’re Kentucky… doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for me. If it’s the best fit, I’m gonna go to Kentucky. If I feel like Oklahoma is the best fit and a better opportunity, then I’m gonna go there. If I feel the NBL is the better opportunity, then I’ll go there. I don’t really look at the name on the chest. I just look at the scenario I’m gonna be in when I’m in college.”
Smith was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas preps underclassman of the year after averaging 21.3 points, three rebounds and three steals as a sophomore. He was then named the All-Arkansas Preps player of the year after averaging 25 points, five rebounds and four assists as a junior.
Smith recently averaged 18.6 points per game with the Brad Beal Elite AAU team.
