Top-50 recruit Nick Smith talks about St. John’s basketball, recruitment

The St. John's basketball team gets set to play at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The St. John's basketball team gets set to play at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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A key St. John’s basketball recruit, Nick Smith, recently spoke about his recruitment and what schools are the most involved with him.

Perhaps some encouraging news on the recruiting front for the St. John’s Red Storm as Top-50 prospect in the Class of 2022, Nick Smith, recently shared some details on his recruitment with 247 Sports recruiting expert Brian Snow.

In addition to St. John’s, Smith currently holds offers Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Baylor, Georgetown, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and Texas but the leaders for the 6-foot-4 shooting guard seem to be the Razorbacks, Tigers, Gators, Johnnies, and Crimson Tide.

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In his conversation with Snow, Nick Smith specifically listed Arkansas, St. John’s, Auburn, and Florida as the schools that are reaching out the most and the Sylvan Hills High School star had some pretty interesting things to say about head coach Mike Anderson and the Red Storm.

“I have been watching Coach Anderson since I was a little kid. I love his style of play and the system really fits me. He plays a fast pressing style and I know I could play my game there,” Smith said.

As an Arkansas native, Nick Smith was clearly watching Anderson as the head coach of the Razorbacks from 2011-2019 in which his team reached the post season five times with three NCAA Tournament appearances.

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However, while Mike Anderson now has his bags unpacked in Queens, New York that doesn’t mean Smith’s interest in his home state school of Arkansas has diminished as Anderson’s replacement, Eric Musselman is continuing to purse the guard as landing priority recruits is at an all-time high in Fayetteville.

Nick Smith is ranked as a four-star prospect, the No. 47 player in the Class of 2022, No. 7 shooting guard, and the No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas, according to the 247 Sports Composite Rankings.

ALSO READ: St. John’s extends offer to Class of 2021 JUCO 7-footer

Mike Anderson and St. John’s are eyeing a massive haul in the rising junior class but it’s now time for the Red Storm coaching staff to deliver on those big aspirations.