NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top-30 2022 G Nick Smith Jr. releases top 10
By Ian Mumm
Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels have been a popular team on the recruiting trail, particularly over the summer, but have cemented that momentum by winning games on the court. Adding some key pieces via the transfer portal this offseason, Ole Miss has leaned on experience and relied on outstanding defense to finish opponents. However, the top end depth that’s boosted the program this season is not going to be there when Smith arrives.
Head coach Kermit Davis has been very aggressive on the recruiting trail to line up pieces to replace them in the coming seasons, but he’s hoping freshman Matthew Murrell and 2021 signees James White and Daeshun Ruffin can help to fill the void. Landing Smith would not only be the highest-rated player in program history but would instantly thrust him into the starting lineup in a guard-centric system.
Auburn Tigers
The outlook for Auburn in 2020 is not good, but putting forth a consistent product has been much more difficult for Bruce Pearl this season. Star freshman Sharife Cooper has been ruled ineligible dashing a lot of the potential upside for the Tigers, but the future is still incredibly bright for Auburn. Cooper has not made a decision on his plans and could return to the program next season, pending NCAA approval, and Pearl has landed the signatures of top-40 guard Trey Alexander and top-5 recruit Jabari Smith.
While the Tigers have plenty of solid role players and depth currently on the roster, they need more top-end firepower. Landing [Nick] Smith to form a likely trio with Alexander and Jabari Smith in 2022 would fulfill that level of roster construction. The 6’4” guard has the immediate and well-rounded production to help elevate Auburn to their NCAA Tournament successes of the last several seasons.