Syracuse basketball 5-star recruit Jordan Smith best defender in country, scout says

Syracuse basketball coaches offered a scholarship to elite DMV prospect Jordan Smith Jr., a five-star shooting guard in the 2026 class, in early May of 2023.

Ever since then, I've closely followed the recruitment and play of the talented 6-foot-3 Smith.

By all accounts, these days, the Orange staff is recruiting him hard. He recently told top national analyst/scout Jamie Shaw of On3 that he's likely to take an official visit to the 'Cuse at some point, although nothing has been scheduled as of yet.

Over the past year-plus, I've come across a flood of high praise from national analysts and scouts regarding Smith, who they say is a top-flight defender and rebounder, with a growing offensive repertorie.

Beginning through last weekend and running through July 21 in North Augusta, S.C., Smith and his AAU program, the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover, are vying for a coveted Peach Jam title in the main 17U division on Nike’s EYBL circuit.

Smith is off to a strong start at Peach Jam, and Team Takeover is one of the favorites to cut down the nets this coming Sunday. And over the past day or two, some top experts have dished out tremendous accolades to Smith, who is rated as high as No. 5 nationally by ESPN and should be viewed as a serious contender for the No. 1 overall spot in the rising high school junior cycle.

Analysts and scouts rave about the defensive instincts of Syracuse basketball target Jordan Smith Jr.

In a recent post on X, top national scout Max Feldman of MADE Hoops wrote, "Jordan Smith Jr — pound for pound, the best rebounder and defender in the country."

Brandon Jenkins, a top national analyst/scout with 247Sports, said in a recent post on his X page, "Top ten rising junior Jordan Smith is one of the hardest playing prospects in the high school game. His motor is top notch & he gets the job done on both ends of the floor in an intense fashion. ... The product of (PVI) has to be in the conversation for No. 1 in the 2026 class."

Outstanding insights on Jordan!

When I wrote this article on Monday afternoon, Team Takeover was 2-0 so far at Peach Jam, with more games to be played Monday and throughout this week.

Here are Smith's stat lines in those two victories, courtesy of the EYBL Web site:
•12 points, two rebounds, one block and one steal, 5-of-5 from the field, 2-of-2 from deep
•11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, one steal, 5-of-8 from the field, 1-of-3 from deep

According to experts, Smith has become more assertive on the offensive end of the floor, and he can score at all three levels. But his hallmark so far in high school comes via his defensive and rebounding prowess.

Earlier this month, Smith helped lead the USA Basketball U17 national team to the gold medal at the 2024 FIBA World Cup in Istanbul, Turkey. The Orange staff was in attendance at this international event.

Smith, in his recent interview with On3's Shaw, as well as other prior interviews, notes the deep recruiting ties of Syracuse basketball coaches to the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore metropolitan areas.

His list of suitors is impressive, lengthy and growing, so the 'Cuse has a tall task in trying to prevail for Smith. At the same time, Orange coaches are clearing putting in the work for him, and it will be a huge positive for the 'Cuse if and when Smith takes an official visit to the Hill.

During the 2023-24 campaign, as a sophomore at the powerhouse St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., Smith averaged 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per contest and was named an All-American by MaxPreps.

He also won numerous other awards and honors, helping guide St. Paul VI to a 35-3 overall record, several championships in the D.C. region, and a runner-up finish at early April's Chipotle Nationals in Brownsburg, Ind.

For now, Smith has his sights set on a Peach Jam grand prize. I'll continue to follow his recruitment, including upcoming campus visits. And looking ahead to 2024-25, Smith will again contend for All-America honors, and St. Paul VI will be in the running for a high school national title.