Nate Allen

FAYETTEVILLE - At an announcement gathering/press conference Wednesday night in Little Rock, 5-star basketball prospect Nick Smith announced his commitment to l sign a 2022-2023 letter of intent with  the University of Arkansas’ Razorbacks in Fayetteville.

Smith, a 6-5 guard  starring his junior season at Sylvan Hills and set to play this season at North Little Rock High,  becomes the Razorbacks’ first 5-star signee since current Milwaukee Bucks’ standout and Little Rock Hall grad and All-SEC Razorback Bobby Portis signed with former Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson to play in 2013.

 Smith becomes the first 5-star to head to Fayetteville under third-year Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman who became the first Arkansas coach to send a one-and-done player to the NBA upon 2020-2021 freshman Moses Moody drafted and signed as a lottery pick by the Golden State Warriors.

“Next year, I'll be committed to Arkansas,” Smith posted on his Instagram account.

He Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina were among the elites that  recruited Smith who narrowed his finalists to Arkansas, Alabama, Auburn and close to home at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.  

Rated the sixth best national recruit by ESPN, Smith averaged averaged 25 points,  5rebounds and 4 assists per game for Sylvan Hills last season.

So far Musselman has garnered commitments for the 2022-2023 season from  forward Joseph Pinion of Morrilton, guard Darien Ford of Magnolia, and forward Barry Dunning of Mobile, Ala.

Verbal commitments are non-binding.  Official letters of intent can be signed during the November or April signing periods.