One of the most dynamic basketball prospects in the country has zeroed in on his college options — and Kentucky is still in the hunt.
Jordan Smith Jr., a five-star combo guard and top-three overall player in the 2026 class, officially named his final six schools on Tuesday. The list includes Kentucky, Arkansas, Duke, Georgetown, Indiana, and Syracuse.
A 6-foot-2, 200-pound standout from powerhouse St. Paul VI Catholic in Virginia, Smith is widely praised for his defensive intensity, relentless hustle, and eye-popping 6-foot-9 wingspan. The 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 3 overall recruit in the country and the top combo guard in his class.
But this isn’t just a name-drop for Kentucky. The Wildcats are very much in play — and the timing couldn’t be better.
Kentucky Visit Locked In
Smith is scheduled to make his official visit to Lexington beginning October 10, which aligns with Big Blue Madness — Kentucky’s biggest and most electric recruiting weekend of the year. Also visiting that weekend is four-star center Josh Irving, creating the potential for a major recruiting splash.
Smith already has a strong connection with UK head coach Mark Pope, who first offered him a scholarship in September 2024. Their relationship deepened this summer when Pope coached Smith directly at a USA Basketball training camp in Colorado.
“Mark Pope said he wants to coach somebody like me because he’s never coached anybody like me before,” Smith told the Herald-Leader in an earlier interview. “I guess they just think I’m different than other players.”
Coaches Are Taking Notice
At this year’s Peach Jam — Nike’s elite grassroots showcase — The Athletic anonymously polled 35 college basketball coaches. The question: Which class of 2026 player would you most want to coach?
The overwhelming answer: Jordan Smith Jr.
He edged out even Tyran Stokes, the current No. 1 overall prospect. That kind of buzz is rare — and it speaks volumes about Smith’s growing stature among the sport’s top evaluators.
A Proven Winner on the World Stage
Smith’s resume is already stacked. He was a starter for the United States at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup this summer, helping the team secure a gold medal in Switzerland. He averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.6 assists per game — showcasing his versatility on both ends of the floor.
This marked his second consecutive gold medal for Team USA, after also helping lead the Under-17 team to victory in Turkey last year. Each of those squads featured other Kentucky targets — but Smith was the one who consistently stood out.
Where Things Stand
Kentucky currently has offers out to 19 uncommitted players in the 2026 class. Smith, clearly, is among the most coveted.
While Arkansas, led by former UK coach John Calipari, is also pursuing him hard — and Smith is scheduled to visit Fayetteville in September — the combination of timing, coaching connection, and program fit gives Kentucky a real shot.
Smith has already visited Duke and Louisville (the latter failed to make his final list), and he’s also made unofficial trips to Georgetown and Syracuse.
With momentum building and Big Blue Madness on the horizon, Kentucky fans may soon have a new star to rally behind — one who could define the next era of Wildcat basketball.
