Syracuse basketball 2026 priority recruit Jordan Smith Jr. is playing like the No. 1 national prospect in his class, and his team will battle a New York powerhouse program in the championship game of the City of Palms Classic on Tuesday night.
The 6-foot-3 Smith, a five-star shooting guard and the country's No. 2 senior per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, is down to a final six of the Orange, Duke, Arkansas, Georgetown, Kentucky and Indiana. He has unofficially visited the 'Cuse twice.
Jordan Smith Jr. is the No. 1 player in the 2026 class. Argue with someone else.
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) December 23, 2025
On Tuesday at 9 pm, Smith's team, St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Chantilly, Va., will square off against Archbishop Stepinac High School from White Plains, N.Y., in the title contest of the City of Palms Classic at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.
Championship day at the GEICO @CityOfPalmsBKB 🏀
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) December 23, 2025
4 games on League Ready YouTube, followed by the third-place game and championship on ESPN2. pic.twitter.com/vf78jL4Jsq
ESPN2 will air this rematch of a 66-56 home victory by St. Paul VI over Archbishop Stepinac earlier this month, a game that had aired on ESPNU. In that win, Smith registered 26 points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Syracuse basketball 2026 priority target Jordan Smith Jr. will play on national TV on Tuesday.
Smith has been sensational at the City of Palms Classic. Per the event's Web site, here are his performances so far:
December 18
St. Paul VI defeated Garfield Heights High School from Garfield Heights, Ohio, by a final of 93-60
Smith logged 23 minutes, 40 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals
16-of-25 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line
December 19
St. Paul VI beat Calvary Christian High School from Clearwater, Fla., by a final of 71-54
Smith had 27 minutes, 20 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal
7-of-13 from the field, 1-of-1 from downtown and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe
December 22
St. Paul VI conquered the Principia School from St. Louis by a final of 78-68
Smith, in 31 minutes, tallied 34 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals
12-of-20 from the field, 7-of-9 from beyond the arc (!!!) and 3-of-5 from the free-throw line