Five-star junior Nick Smith Jr. discusses suitors, future visits
Sylvan Hills standout Nick Smith Jr. has turned into one of the 2022 classes most sought-after prospects on the board. The 6-foot-5 combo guard is seen as one of the top combos in the nation and it has been made evident that he’s alluded himself as a Top-25 prospect in the entire class.
Smith Jr. has begun playing his summer ball for Brad Beal Elite and he’s expected to cap off his AAU career with a major summer on the circuit. Prior to the start of his AAU season, fully, Smith Jr. has made tentative official visit plans, as he told Stockrisers.com.
Kansas, Georgetown, and Auburn are the programs that have locked in an official visit with Smith Jr. and his family. He does expect to visit programs outside of that but for now, has these visits planned for June and will work on some others.
Now, enough chatter from us, let’s hear from Nick Smith Jr., who caught up with Stockrisers.com on Thursday night.
So, who’s still involved?
“Honestly, pretty much everyone is still involved. Oklahoma, Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke’s starting to talk to me more, Kansas, Alabama, Georgetown. Pretty much everybody that has been recruiting me since last June.”
Any newer programs?
“Not really any new schools really, there have been some others but I like to keep things close to the vest. Obviously Duke, Illinois, Oregon, Butler, also Michigan. There are many schools but I just want to find the right fit.”
Georgetown, discuss Pat Ewing and your thoughts on the Hoyas?
“I feel like Georgetown’s coaching staff and Coach Pat are really good people. I had a zoom call with them a couple of months ago and that went well. They want me to come in and be me. I have a great relationship with Coach Kirby and you know they’re nothing but good people and they really know what they’re talking about and stuff like that. A lot of people on their coaching staff have been there [the next level] and I’m trying to get there.”
Auburn, what are Bruce’s pitch and your thoughts on Auburn?
“I don’t really talk to Coach Bruce like that but I have been talking to Coach Flanigan. I and Him have been having a good relationship since really before the recruiting process started actually since he’s from Little Rock. They like how I can play the combo guard, and really just coming in and playing my game. Auburn is a school you don’t really have to come in and be passive, you can just play your game.”
Kansas, why would a guard like you fit in their system and thoughts?
“Kansas, they really like how I can play the combo guard. I can score, I can pass, I can facilitate and play defense. I can really do anything the coach asked me to do. Coach Bill Self really likes my game and really wants me up there, he really feels like I can go one-and-done and just really trying to pick the right fit for me. I had a zoom call with them a month ago and then I take my official visit on June 20th.”
Discuss your new relationship with Duke and what’s next?
“Duke, yeah everybody knows about Duke, it’s just self-explanatory. I talked with Coach Chris last week and they said they really been paying attention to my game and they really like my game and they’re just showing a lot of interest right now. I don’t have an offer from them but I’m just trying to build a relationship with them and just find the right fit.”
When do you want to commit?
“I don’t really have a timeline. I really wanted to commit in November, but, I think that is gonna change due to everybody getting involved right now and then the visits I gotta take. I don’t really know, but when I know, I’ll let yall know.”