Syracuse basketball coaches will host an unofficial visit to the Hill later this week for 2026 five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. from the talent-rich Washington, D.C. market.
According to top analyst/scout Colby Giacubeno of MADE Hoops and 247Sports, the 6-foot-3 Smith expects to make an unofficial visit to the Orange on June 7. There has been speculation for months that Smith is planning a trip to Central New York, and ‘Cuse coaches have a fantastic opportunity to deepen their relationship with this consensus top-15 national prospect in the rising high school junior class.
Following an outstanding sophomore year in which he earned All-America accolades while contributing significantly to the powerhouse St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., Smith has performed admirably on the AAU circuit this spring.
He’s recently added a few additional scholarship offers, and when the contact period for 2026 prospects opens on June 15, I expect Smith’s offer sheet to grow dramatically.
Syracuse basketball to welcome five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. to the Hill.
According to MaxPreps, Smith averaged 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in 2023-24, while St. Paul VI went 35-3 overall, won many D.C. area titles, and came second at the 2024 Chipotle Nationals in Brownsburg, Indiana.
Smith received numerous accolades and trophies for his outstanding sophomore season in 2023-24. He was selected to The Washington Post’s All-Met third team and the All-WCAC (“Washington Catholic Athletic Conference”) second team. Smith, an elite defender with improving offensive skills, was also named to the MaxPreps sophomore All-America third team.
Blessed to receive an invite to the NBPA top 100 camp #AGTG pic.twitter.com/pBZ3MOL6le
— Jordan Smith Jr (@sm23itty) May 10, 2024
The ‘Cuse staff extended him an offer in May 2023. According to his X profile, Smith has received additional scholarship offers from Florida State and Arizona State. His offer list also includes Houston, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Providence, Kansas State, Georgetown, Mount St. Mary’s, Villanova, and George Mason.
Orange coaches became involved with Smith early in the recruitment process, which is positive. However, when the contact period opens later this month and college coaches can begin direct engagement with 2026 athletes, his offer sheet will grow significantly.
Furthermore, rising high school juniors can begin taking official visits to college campuses on August 1, so let’s see if Syracuse basketball can bring Smith back to Hill for an official visit in the future.
In grassroots basketball this spring and summer, he is playing up a division for the 17U squad of the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover in Nike’s EYBL league, an outstanding AAU program with which the Orange staff has great recruiting relationships.
Last month, the EYBL staged a session in Indianapolis during a live time, and the ‘Cuse coaching staff was present for at least one Team Takeover game.
The EYBL’s fourth spring session took place around the end of May in Kansas City, Missouri. During that stint, Smith averaged 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, earning a spot on The Circuit’s All-EYBL Session IV Underclass team.
Around the time of the Kansas City session, 247Sports national analyst/scout Brandon Jenkins stated that Smith “separates himself with his motor and intensity as he seeks out stops on the defensive end and is a fearless attacker offensively.” Smith is a fantastic athlete who will undoubtedly leave his impact on a game since he refuses to take possessions for granted.”
In all four EYBL games, he has averaged 11.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Team Takeover, which has a 14-1 record to date, will be one of the favorites to win the EYBL’s season-ending Peach Jam event, which will be held in North Augusta, South Carolina, from July 13 to 21.
I’m happy to continue following Smith’s recruitment, and I hope his forthcoming unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball goes well.
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