Phenom Hoops continues to provide updates with some of the top players in the country. In our latest “recruitment update,” we spoke with 2022 6’3 Nick Smith Jr. from Sylvan Hills high school in Arkansas. Smith is ranked in the Top-50 by 247 Sports and is coming off a season in which the Bears finished with a 20-8 record.
Smith was a key component to Sylvan Hill success and several high major programs have been offering already or expressing interest. He discusses the latest around his recruitment and his thoughts on a few programs that have already offered.
See what he had to say
PHR: How did this season go overall in your eyes?
Smith: “I thought it went pretty good. Everyone was expecting us to lose and we proved everyone wrong.”
PHR: How has your recruitment been going for you in your eyes?
Smith: “My recruitment is going really well.”
PHR: What offers do you currently hold?
Smith: “Right now, I have offers from Arkansas, Texas, Ole Miss, St. John’s and Oklahoma State. I have taken unofficial visits to all except St. John’s. I’ve also been on an unofficial to Auburn and have heard from other schools as well”
PHR: What have programs been saying to you?
Smith: “Coaches are saying they like my ability to score and make my teammates better as well. Hopefully, we have an opportunity to play this summer, so I can show how much I have improved from last year.”
PHR: What did you like about each visit or each program? Anything stand out to you?
Smith: “Arkansas coaching staff had a lot of pro connections and talked a lot about development and playing at the next level. Arkansas fans are great. Coach Smart (Texas) and Coach Yaklich were cool and down to earth guys. They also have great facilities at Texas.
I already had a good relationship with Coach Anderson at St. John’s. Coach Hamilton at Ole Miss and I have spoken a couple of times and they have also talked to my dad as well. Coach Flannigan at Auburn, I have known him for a while and I liked the environment at Auburn.”
PHR: What were you hoping to learn with all those visits?
Smith: “Just to get a feel for the coaching staffs.”
PHR: What other schools have been showing interest your way that haven’t offered?
Smith: “Alabama, Texas A&M, Kansas State, and Purdue.”
PHR: What have they been saying and have said anything about an offer potentially coming?
Smith: “Coach Pettway and Coach Lutz mostly spoke to my dad.”
PHR: Being from Arkansas, would you say the Razorbacks ranking high on your list? What are you looking for in a program?
Smith: “Yes sir, Arkansas does rank high. But it is still pretty early and hopefully, I will have time to build relationships with the coaches interested in me.”
PHR: How would you best describe your game on the court?
Smith: “I can score the basketball on all three levels. I’m 6’4 now, so ins Arkansas, it is easier getting to my spots on pull-ups. I can also facilitate to my teammates. Right now though, I’m working on getting stronger.”
