Arkansas freshman guard Nick Smith Jr. formally stated for the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday through his Twitter.
The 6-foot-5, 185 pound North Little Rock High School item played 17 overall video games for the Razorbacks this previous season. He balanced 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.7 helps per video game as a Hog.
“This year has actually been an amazing journey, and I am grateful for all the love and assistance I have actually gotten from my home town and all the Hog fans,” Smith stated in a tweet. “I wish to reveal my appreciation to my coach, Muss, and the whole training personnel, who thought in my capabilities and enabled me the opportunity to bet Arkansas.
“To my colleagues, who have actually been with me through the low and high of this season, thank you for your assistance and friendship. I want you all the very best in your future ventures, and I like you, siblings 4L (for life). To my household and liked ones, particularly my mom, daddy, bro and sis, I’m so grateful for your undeviating assistance and sacrifice. That stated, I am thrilled to reveal that I am stating for the 2023 NBA Draft.”
A McDonald’s All-American and the No. 1 total guard in the 2022 class on Rivals, Smith’s season was hindered by a sticking around right knee injury that kept him out for several prolonged durations.
He did display why he was the No. 2 general gamer in the 2022 class on Rivals with a couple of video games, such as a 26-point efficiency versus Georgia on Feb. 21 and a 24-point getaway versus Alabama on Feb. 25.
Smith’s postseason was a battle, as he scored simply 17 overall points throughout Arkansas’ 3 video games in the NCAA Tournament. He was 6-of-23 from the field and had simply 3 rebounds throughout the 3 trips.
While he had a hard time in the postseason, Smith is still being buffooned as a lotto choice. A current mock draft from Bleacher Report has Smith going No. 6 general to Indiana Pacers, The Ringer has him at No. 10 total to Toronto Raptors and NBADraft.Net notes him going No. 5 total to Orlando Magic.
Smith is the very first Razorback to reveal his future intents, however more statements are anticipated in the coming days.