How to watch Syracuse basketball 5-star priority target Jordan Smith vs. NY's Stepinac

ESPN's high school showcase series for the 2025-26 season heads to the DMV on Thursday night and will feature Syracuse basketball 2026 priority target Jordan Smith Jr., a five-star guard and the nation's No. 2 senior, according to the 247Sports Composite.

The 6-foot-3 Smith, who has unofficially visited the Orange program twice and has the 'Cuse in his top six, is an All-American at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va. On Thursday at 8 pm, on ESPNU, St. Paul VI will host an excellent squad from New York state, Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y.

In the latest national rankings from ESPN recruiting director Paul Biancardi, St. Paul VI is No. 13 overall, while Archbishop Stepinac is No. 15. Over at MaxPreps, St. Paul VI (3-0) is No. 4 nationally, and Archbishop Stepinac (2-1) is No. 27.

In late November, Archbishop Stepinac lost its 2025-26 season opener to the Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, 67-58. The Crusaders were No. 1 in the MaxPreps top 25 before the current season began. Saint Frances was led by 2027 guard Terence Jones III, who has received some level of interest from the Orange staff.

Syracuse basketball 5-star priority recruit Jordan Smith Jr. is on national TV on Thursday evening.

The 'Cuse offered a scholarship to Smith in early May of 2023 and has recruited him hard ever since. Syracuse basketball coaches have visited him in countless settings, including abroad, and Smith is quite close with the Orange staff, especially assistant coach Brenden Straughn, who has deep ties to the DMV.

Smith has a top six of Duke, Arkansas, Georgetown, Kentucky, Indiana and the 'Cuse. There is a prediction in the Blue Devils' direction on 247Sports. Analysts say that Arkansas is a major threat, and Syracuse basketball is in the mix. I also wouldn't rule out Georgetown, which is a local team and has recruited Smith for nearly as long as the Orange has.

It's likely that Smith will make his college decision after the calendar turns to 2026, and he would then officially sign during the regular signing period next April. He took an unofficial visit to the Hill in September of 2024. Then, as I first reported, Smith unofficially visited Syracuse basketball a second time in early November of this year.

The Orange remains on the hunt for its first 2026 commitment at the high school level. With nine or even 10 guys on the team's current roster able to return for the 2026-27 season, it's always been likely that the 'Cuse would have a small 2026 prep class.