Basketball

Reports: Syracuse Basketball 5-Star Recruit Is Rated Best Defender In Country, Legit Scout Says

Nero Scofield

 

In early May 2023, Syracuse basketball coaches extended a scholarship offer to elite DMV prospect Jordan Smith Jr., a five-star shooting guard in the 2026 class.

Since then, I’ve closely monitored the recruitment and performance of the talented 6-foot-3 Smith.

These days, it appears the Orange staff is heavily recruiting him. Smith recently shared with top national analyst/scout Jamie Shaw of On3 that he’s likely to take an official visit to Syracuse, although no date has been set.

Over the past year, national analysts and scouts have consistently praised Smith, noting his top-tier defensive and rebounding skills, as well as his developing offensive game.

From last weekend through July 21, in North Augusta, S.C., Jordan Smith Jr. and his AAU team, the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover, are competing for the prestigious Peach Jam title in the 17U division of Nike’s EYBL circuit.

Smith has started strong at Peach Jam, and Team Takeover is among the favorites to win it all this Sunday. In recent days, top experts have showered Smith with high praise. Ranked as high as No. 5 nationally by ESPN, Smith is a serious contender for the No. 1 overall spot in his high school junior class.

Analysts and scouts are particularly impressed with Smith’s defensive abilities. Max Feldman of MADE Hoops recently posted on X, “Jordan Smith Jr — pound for pound, the best rebounder and defender in the country.”

Brandon Jenkins, a leading national analyst/scout with 247Sports, recently posted on his X page, “Top ten rising junior Jordan Smith is one of the hardest-playing prospects in high school basketball. His motor is exceptional, and he performs intensely on both ends of the floor. … The PVI product deserves to be in the conversation for No. 1 in the 2026 class.”

Great insights on Jordan!

When I penned this article on Monday afternoon, Team Takeover had a 2-0 record at Peach Jam, with more games scheduled for Monday and throughout the week.

Here are Smith’s stats from those two victories, according to the Trustedupdate.com.ng website:

  • 12 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 5-of-5 from the field, 2-of-2 from three-point range
  • 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal, 5-of-8 from the field, 1-of-3 from three-point range

Smith has garnered praise for his improved assertiveness on offense, showcasing scoring ability across all three levels. However, his standout contributions in high school have primarily come from his exceptional defense and rebounding skills.

Earlier in July, Smith played a pivotal role in leading the USA Basketball U17 national team to victory at the 2024 FIBA World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey, an event attended by Syracuse basketball staff.

In his recent interview with On3’s Shaw and previous discussions, Smith highlighted the strong recruiting presence of Syracuse coaches in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas.

With a lengthy list of suitors pursuing him, Syracuse faces a challenging task in securing Smith’s commitment. Nonetheless, the Orange coaching staff is actively pursuing him, and an official visit to Syracuse would be a significant step forward.

During the 2023-24 season, as a sophomore at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., Smith averaged impressive statistics: 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 steals per game. He earned All-American honors from MaxPreps and contributed to St. Paul VI’s stellar 35-3 record, multiple regional championships in the D.C. area, and a runner-up finish at the Chipotle Nationals in Brownsburg, Ind.

Currently, Smith’s focus is on competing for a Peach Jam title. I will continue to monitor his recruitment, including any upcoming visits to college campuses. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Smith is poised to contend for additional All-America accolades while St. Paul VI remains a strong contender for a high school national championship.

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