Arkansas Basketball 2022-23 Season Preview: G Nick Smith Jr
By Matt Melton
Arkansas Basketball’s 2022 recruiting class was not only tops in the SEC this past cycle, but also one of the best in Razorbacks program history. A class loaded with talent that included three five-star prospects, each of those names could easily make a key impact for the Razorbacks during the 2022-23 season.
However, if you had to pick one name in particular from that group that you should know entering the year, then Nick Smith Jr is likely your answer.
Arkansas Basketball 2022-23 Season Preview: G Nick Smith Jr
A talented 6-foot-4 guard, Smith comes to Arkansas as a five-star prospect out of in-state North Little Rock High School. Smith was also considered as a top five player nationally in the 2022 class, as well as the No. 1 combo guard in the country and the top player in Arkansas according to the 247Sports Composite.
An accomplished prep prospect, Smith is coming off a phenomenal senior season in high school, one in which he averaged a combined 26.5 PPG, 8 RPG, and 7.3 APG. This was also only a year after the five-star averaged 25/5/4 as a junior, as well as 21/3/3 as a sophomore.
As expected with stat lines such as those, the accolades and honors certainly came in for Smith, a list that included state player of the year, All-American, McDonald’s All-American, and more.
One of the highest rated players to ever commit to Arkansas Basketball, Smith is likely set for a special 2022-23 season in Fayetteville. The 6-foot-4 guard is simply one of the most talented offensive players in the entire SEC, and should not only lead the Razorbacks in scoring, but also rank among the top of the conference in that category as a freshman as well.
Smith is also likely to be a top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, meaning that this very well could be the five-star’s lone season in Fayetteville. However, this should be a special 2022-23 season for Smith and the Razorbacks, one in which the five-star will help lead one of the conference’s top teams as a legit contender for the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year.
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2022-23 Season Prediction: 14.5 PPG, 4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 46.4 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 79 FT%