NBA Draft: Nick Smith Jr. Out Indefinitely for Arkansas

Nick Smith Jr. is out again for Arkansas, and it's sure to have ripple effects on the 2023 NBA Draft.

Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. will be out indefinitely due to “right knee management,” per the team.

Thought of by many to be the best prospect in college basketball coming into the season, Smith missed the first chunk of the season due to a similar issue before playing in five games.

In those five games, the freshman averaged 12.8 points, 1.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 38 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc, all in just 23.8 minutes per game.

Smith put on some impressive scoring performances, including 22 points versus Greensboro and 21 points on 8-for-16 shooting against Oklahoma.

With size, fluidity and scoring prowess at the guard position, Smith, even without playing the rest of the season, is slated to be a top ten NBA Draft pick in 2023. He’s got skills lottery teams will covet, even with a small sample size.

Smith’s will have other NBA Draft ripple effects as well, namely for Arkansas guard Anthony Black and forward Jordan Walsh.

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

While Smith’s injury is certainly a blow overall to the team, it gives Black, a 6-foot-7 lead guard, more opportunity to shine in the spotlight. Black is averaging 12.6 points, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field and 39 percent from the field this season.

Walsh, a potential first round pick who’s come on of late, scoring 18 and 12 points in two of his last three games, should see more opportunity as well.

Smith’s case will be one to monitor close to draft night 2023, depending on how much on-court action he sees between now and then.

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