Nick Smith Named Top High School Player by USA TODAY

Incoming freshmen class has several players on list, ranking high in NBA projections

allHOGS Staff | Aug 1, 2022

Nick Smith Named Top High School Player by USA TODAY /

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Incoming Arkansas freshman Nick Smith was tabbed the USA TODAY National High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Fellow Razorback Derrian Ford was one of 24 finalists up for the award as well.

According to USA TODAY:

“Smith masterfully used his 6-foot-5 frame to create scoring angles and size mismatches during North Little Rock’s run to the Class 6A state championship. He was at his best in the state final, dropping 25 points. The centerpiece of Arkansas’s No. 1 rated recruiting class in the nation, Smith’s NBA Draft prospects are on the rise.”

Nick Smith-Practice — Hogs' freshman Nick Smith takes a shot during drills at the third practice of the summer getting ready for European trip for exhibition games this month. (Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images)

Smith, a consensus national top-three recruit, was also selected the No. 1 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports.com, the top-rated point guard in the country by Rivals.com and the top-rated shooting guard in the nation by ESPN.com.

He was a McDonald’s All-American and was named co-MVP of the Jordan Brand Classic.

Both NBADraftRoom.com and ESPN.com currently list Smith as the first collegiate player (third overall) selected on their 2023 NBA mock drafts.

CBSSports.com also has Smith as the top collegiate player but No. 4 overall.

Fellow signee Anthony Black is currently the No. 5 overall pick for 2023 by NBADraftRoom.com and No. 9 by CBSSports.com while ESPN lists him as the No. 12 selection.

Razorbacks freshman Jordan Walsh drives for a lay-up during drills Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in the third practice of the summer in Fayetteville in preparation for trip to Europe for four exhibition games. — Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images

The Hogs' Jordan Walsh is listed at No. 21. He is the projected No. 22 pick by CBSSports.com

Smith was a two-time MaxPreps Arkansas High School Player of the Year and a two-time Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year.

Smith joins Corliss Williamson as the only Razorbacks to be selected a national high school player of the year. Williamson earned the honor in 1992 as selected by Gatorade.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.