Nick Smith Jr.

Nick Smith Jr.

No. 8–Charlotte Hornets
Position	Point guard / shooting guard
League	NBA
Personal information
Born	(2004-04-18) April 18, 2004 (age 20) Jacksonville, Arkansas, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school	Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Arkansas) North Little Rock (North Little Rock, Arkansas)
College	Arkansas (2022–2023)
NBA draft	2023: 1st round, 27th overall pick
Drafted by	Charlotte Hornets
Playing career	2023–present
Career history
2023–present	Charlotte Hornets
2023–2024	→Greensboro Swarm
Career highlights and awards
McDonald's All-American (2022) Jordan Brand Classic (2022) Nike Hoop Summit (2022)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Nicholas Smith Jr. (born April 18, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas during his senior year of high school, where he was named the #1 overall recruit in the class of 2022.

High school career

Smith originally attended Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Arkansas before transferring to North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas ^[1] prior to his senior year. ^{[2] [3]} He was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Boys Underclassman of the Year his sophomore year, and Player of the Year his junior and senior seasons. ^{[4] [5]} After leading North Little Rock High to a 26–3 record and the Arkansas Class 6A state championship, Smith was selected to play in the 2022 McDonald's All-American Boys Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. ^{[6] [7]}

Recruiting

Smith was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2022 class, according to major recruiting services. On September 29, 2021, he committed to being on the college basketball team for the Arkansas Razorbacks, over other finalists Alabama, Auburn and Arkansas–Pine Bluff. Smith also received offers from Oklahoma, Georgetown, Kansas, North Carolina, Baylor, Florida, Butler, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Texas and Tennessee. ^{[8] [9]} Smith was a consensus top five recruit nationally and was named the #1 overall recruit in the 2022 class by 247Sports.

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Nick Smith PG / SG	Jacksonville, AR	North Little Rock (AR)	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Sep 29, 2021
	Star ratings: Rivals:     247Sports:     ESPN:    ESPN grade: 94
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 2   247Sports: 1   ESPN: 3
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Arkansas 2022 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 13, 2022. "2022 Arkansas Razorbacks Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 13, 2022. "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved May 13, 2022.

College career

Smith was projected to be a starting guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks for the 2022–23 season, though a persistent knee injury kept him sidelined for the majority of the season. Smith appeared in seventeen games, averaging 12.5 points per contest. ^[10]

Professional career

Charlotte Hornets / Greensboro Swarm (2023–present)

Smith was selected with the 27th pick of the 2023 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets ^[11] and on July 2, he signed with the team. ^[12] Throughout his rookie and sophomore seasons, he has been assigned several times to the Greensboro Swarm. ^{[13] [14]}

Career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

NBA

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2023–24	Charlotte	51	0	14.3	.391	.432	.867	1.4	1.2	.2	.1	5.9
Career		51	0	14.3	.391	.432	.867	1.4	1.2	.2	.1	5.9

College

Year	Team	GP	GS	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2022–23	Arkansas	17	14	25.8	.376	.338	.740	1.6	1.7	.8	.1	12.5

References

1. Branham, Travis. "Nick Smith, North Little Rock, Combo Guard". 247Sports.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
2. Taylor, Erick (July 22, 2021). "Smith transferring to North Little Rock". nwaonline.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
3. Dawson, Dudley E. (March 4, 2020). "Arkansas signee Nick Smith begins title quest". wholehogsports.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
4. Taylor, Erick (March 29, 2020). "BOYS UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE YEAR: Sophomore Nick Smith steps up right away". arkansasonline.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
5. Taylor, Erick (March 27, 2022). "BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nick Smith steps right in at NLR, sets path for team's state title". arkansasonline.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
6. Taylor, Erick (March 30, 2022). "How 3 future Hogs played in McDonald's All-American Game". wholehogsports.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
7. Davenport, Richard (March 16, 2022). "2 Razorback signees selected to play in Jordan Brand Classic". arkansasonline.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
8. Borzello, Jeff and Biancardi, Paul (September 29, 2021). "Smith, No. 6-ranked recruit in '22, picks Arkansas". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
9. Cobb, David (September 30, 2021). "College basketball recruiting: Arkansas beats out Alabama for five-star class of 2022 guard Nick Smith Jr". CBSSports.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
10. "Arkansas - Season Statistics". arkansasrazorbacks.com. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
11. "Charlotte Hornets Add Four Players In 2023 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 23, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
12. Ramirez, Miguel (July 2, 2023). "Charlotte Hornets Sign Nick Smith Jr". NBA.com. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
13. "2023-2024 Greensboro Swarm Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
14. "2024-2025 Greensboro Swarm Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved December 23, 2024.

External links

• Arkansas Razorbacks bio
• USA Basketball bio