By ADAM ZAGORIA
Five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. is going to be John Calipari’s next star pupil.
The 6-foot-2 Smith, the No. 1 combo guard in the Class of 2026 out of Paul VI Catholic (VA), committed to Arkansas on Friday night, choosing the Razorbacks over Duke, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgetown and Syracuse.
“I’ll be going to the University of Arkansas,” Smith told ZAGSBLOG in a phone interview before his official announcement. “I’m going there because of the relationship that me and Coach Calipari have built over the recruitment process. I feel it’s going to put me in the best position possible to help me reach my goals, and I feel like I can really help build the program, at least in a cultural standpoint, and honestly, just the environment, the people there, it was really just next level. And Coach Chin [Coleman is a] really, really good recruiter. He’s been there since day one. And I built a really good relationship with him too, and he is willing to help me get where I need to go to. So I just really want to thank both of them for recruiting me and I’m just ready to go start my career at Arkansas.”
Calipari and Coleman were in attendance Friday night for Smith’s Senior Night after watching him at numerous events last summer and this season, including the recent Hoophall Classic.
Smith can slot in at Arkansas next season when Darius Acuff and/or Meleek Thomas could be off to the NBA.
“I’ll bring a winning mindset, I’m just willing to help my teammates get better,” he said. “Winning gets you wherever you want, like if you went into the March Madness tournament, you get further, you will get more looks at you and what you want. And of course, I’ll bring my toughness, my defense, my mid-range, my finishing, but overall I just really want to win.”
No. 2 player in the country Jordan Smith Jr. (@sm23itty) rises for the alley-oop for Paul VI (@PVIHoops) 🔥
— MaxPreps (@MaxPreps) February 12, 2026
Watch LIVE on MaxPreps now ⬇️https://t.co/6HJObPwIoR pic.twitter.com/AVyytbEWRp
What’s his message for the Arkansas fans?
“I’m just ready to get to work and perform,” he said. “I’m just excited to play my first game there and represent them at a high level on and off the court, and let’s just have a good time there and let’s just get to it.”
Several former PVI players chose Duke, including Jeremy Roach, Trevor Keels, Darren Harris and Patrick Ngongba II, but with the addition of five-star Blair Academy (NJ) guard Deron Rippey Jr. plus the possible returns for Caleb Foster and Cayden Boozer, Duke is loaded in the backcourt.
As for Smith, PVI coach Glenn Farello said Arkansas is getting an instant impact player.
“He’s a do whatever it takes to win kid, so he checks off all the boxes,” Farello said. “He’s the most complete player that I’ve ever had because he can just find a way to help you win, whether it’s offense, defense, rebounding, whatever it takes.”
How does he fit in at Arkansas?
“I think he gets a chance to to be himself within Cal’s system and gets a chance to contribute,” Farello said. “Stylistically, I think it gives him a runway to maximize who he is. We all know that he will always bring it with the defense and the energy, and I think his offensive game can expand even more at the next level with Cal.”
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