University of Arkansas 5-star signee Nick Smith Jr. will finish his senior year as the state of Arkansas' highest-ranked prospect during the modern recruiting services era.
In ESPN’s last updated rankings for the 2022 class, Smith is the No. 3 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 1 shooting guard.
“I think he was always in a position to move up since last summer while playing for Bradley Beal Elite,” ESPN national recruiting director Paul Biancardi said. “He had a terrific high school season and he had a really post season, and I think that put him in a position to crack the top five.
“He also caught the eye of NBA scouts that I spoke with. So when you combine his great performances in senior year in high school along with the post season the McDonald’s (All-American Game), the practices, the Jordan Brand Classic — the scouts were high on his ability to play in their league someday.”
Smith, 6-5, 185 pounds, of North Little Rock was previously the No. 6 overall prospect and No. 3 shooting guard.
Former Little Rock Hall and Arkansas forward Bobby Portis was previously the highest-rated in-state prospect in the ESPN rankings when he was ranked 16th in 2013. Guard BJ Young of Florissant, Mo., committed to the Razorbacks in 2011, was also ranked 16th.
Arkansas 5-star signee Jordan Walsh is the No. 11 overall recruit and the No. 4 small forward nationally. He was previously the No. 3 small forward and No. 9 overall prospect.
Walsh, 6-7, 200 pounds, of Branson (Mo.) Link Academy, had his pick of Arkansas, Texas, Kansas, TCU, Arizona State, Oklahoma and others before inking with the Razorbacks.
His play this season at Link Academy impressed Biancardi.
“He was consistent for the most part with his effort, energy,” Biancardi said. “He gives the game rebounding, defense, transition points and in the half court he can score when he needs to with the jump shot. That’s an area that really needs some work, but I love his defense, rebounding and his transition game. That along with his high level effort just kind of separates him from everyone else to be an elite prospect.”
Arkansas 5-star signee Anthony Black, 6-7, 185 pounds, of Duncanville, Texas, improved to the No. 15 overall prospect nationally. He was ranked the 20th-best recruit previously. He also improved two spots to the No. 7 small forward in the new rankings.
Joseph Pinion, 6-6, 185 of Morrilton remained the No. 89 overall recruit nationally and the No. 17 shooting guard.
Derrian Ford, 6-4, 205, of Magnolia saw little movement in his rankings. He was the No. 70 overall and the No. 12 shooting guard nationally, and is now No. 71 and No. 13 at his position.
Barry Dunning, 6-6, 185, of Mobile (Ala.) McGill-Toolen Catholic is ranked No. 74 nationally and the No. 21 small forward. He was No. 75 and the No. 20 small forward before the updated rankings.
Pinion, Ford and Dunning are 4-star prospects who have signed with the Razorbacks.
“We talk about those three guys a lot but the other guys that signed are going to help, too,” Biancardi said. “So I think it’s going to be a collective effort of a tremendous freshman class.”