Rivals released the latest top 150 rankings for the 2022 class and on the brink of 5-star status is Sylvan Hills point guard Nick Smith Jr.
Smith began his recruiting process ranked as No. 44 in the nation but he's now No. 29, with just nine players separating him from the 5-star pack.
"I had the opportunity to watch Smith up close and personal at a few late summer events and the steps he's taken in his game were impressive," said Rivals national analyst Eric Bossi. "He has gotten bigger and stronger, he has developed his game as a passer and when you add in his scoring and explosiveness, he's starting to take off."
Bossi gave Smith a shoutout after his performance at the Crossroads Invitational in Wichita, Kansas just a few weeks ago and again after seeing him at the Brad Beal Challenge in Illinois.
Smith's stock is already high but a boost in the rankings always helps. He's got offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Texas and many more high major programs.
The 6-foot-4 point guard has been learning a lot about Arkansas and Eric Musselman's system but told Bossi he's in no rush to make a decision with his junior year nearing.
"All of that stuff I try to keep private,” said Smith of how he will handle his recruitment. “I don’t really think about the recruiting stuff too much. It is good that schools are recruiting me, but at the same time I’m only going to be a junior. Around my senior year I’ll make that decision.”
Smith is one of five in-state targets for the Razorbacks in the 2022 class and one of roughly 30 total.
North Little Rock center Kelel Ware also had an abrupt rise in the rankings. He jumped 21 spots to No. 42 in the nation–the 7th ranked center.
Morrilton's Joseph Pinion slide 22 spots to No. 113 in the nation and Magnolia's Derrian Ford held steady and is No. 38. Mills' Javion Guy-King remains unranked.
