Syracuse basketball is making five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., from the talent-rich Washington, D.C., area, a top priority in their recruitment efforts for the 2026 class. The 6-foot-3 Smith, currently ranked as high as No. 3 nationally and considered a potential candidate for the No. 1 overall spot, plays for St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., where he earned All-America honors as a sophomore.
Smith’s recruitment is highly competitive, with over 20 offers from top programs, including Duke, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Kansas. Syracuse offered him a scholarship in early May 2023 and has been actively recruiting him longer than many other schools. Smith has spoken positively about the Syracuse coaching staff, which has strong ties to his high school and AAU team, Team Takeover.
Smith has an unofficial visit to Duke scheduled for September 28. According to recruiting insider Sam Kayser, Michigan State, Louisville, Duke, and Kansas are among the schools in frequent contact with him. Despite the competition, Syracuse remains a strong contender, especially if they can secure a visit from Smith in the future. Syracuse’s coaching staff has been closely following Smith, including attending his games during the most recent EYBL circuit and watching him play for the USA Basketball U17 national team, which won gold at the 2024 FIBA World Cup.
Syracuse has also offered scholarships to several other top 2026 prospects, including five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. and five-star guard/small forward Alex Constanza, both of whom are expected to visit Syracuse.
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