Five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., a top priority for the Orange staff in the 2026 class, will take an unofficial visit to Syracuse basketball this Sunday, a source confirmed to me on Monday morning.
That's great, great news. The 6-foot-3 Smith also took an unofficial visit to the 'Cuse in September of 2024. He still could take an official visit to the Hill at some point, and Syracuse basketball coaches may want to get him on the SU campus during the 2025-26 season, which officially starts in a week.
The Orange has recruited Smith for a long time. He was first offered a scholarship by the 'Cuse in early May of 2023, and Syracuse basketball coaches have visited him in countless settings ever since then, including on the AAU circuit, at his high school program, at other showcase events, and as Smith won gold medals the past two summers with USA Basketball at the FIBA World Cups.
Syracuse basketball will welcome 5-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. on a visit this Sunday.
Smith is an elite prospect in the 2026 class, with the industry-generated 247Sports Composite placing him as the No. 2 overall player in this cycle. He has a top six of Duke, Arkansas, Georgetown, Kentucky, Indiana and and the Orange. The Blue Devils have some analyst buzz in Smith's recruitment.
In the 2024-25 campaign, Smith was the national junior of the year via MaxPreps and an All-American as he suited up for St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va. On the AAU circuit, he has starred for the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover in Nike's EYBL league.
Syracuse basketball coaches have deep ties to the DMV. Head coach Adrian Autry was previously an assistant at St. Paul VI, and both he and 'Cuse assistant Brenden Straughn were former coaches at Team Takeover. Smith has said on numerous occasions that he's extremely close with Straughn, in particular.
Earlier this month, according to On3 and other reports, Smith signed a name, image and likeness deal with New Balance. He is repped by the Los Angeles-based Klutch Sports Group.
Besides Smith, other top targets for Syracuse basketball in the 2026 class include five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. and four-star wing/big man Asher Elson. They are both from New York City and each has officially visited the 'Cuse. The Orange is also looking at 2027 four-star wing/small forward Clyde Walters as a potential re-class candidate into 2026. He plays for the Atlanta-based professional league Overtime Elite.