UNC Basketball: Tar Heels’ 2022 recruiting class could look a lot like this

Nick Smith

Sylvan Hills’ Nick Smith, who released a list of 10 finalists earlier this year, is a rising combo guard that Hubert Davis and company would love to have on their roster. And despite the recent coaching change at North Carolina, the Tar Heels still appear to be in the mix for one of the nation’s best at his position. Having said that, I’m not certain that their case is as strong as it once was or where it stands today, particularly when taking into account what Smith said about the Tar Heels in a February interview with 247Sports.

"“I honestly think coach Robinson, Roy Williams, and I have a real close relationship,” Smith said. “We talk about other things other than basketball and they feel like my style of play fits their system. Our high school runs their plays so I feel like I would make an easy transition if I do go to North Carolina.”"

Can Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels pick up with Smith where Williams and Robinson left off? That I don’t know, but it’s at least a good sign that they remain in contention for the talented guard some six months later. The same can’t be said for Texas Tech, who was replaced on Smith’s list of finalists by the Texas Longhorns following the coaching change that saw Chris Beard leave Lubbock for Austin. The Longhorns joined a list that, in addition to North Carolina, includes Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, Ole Miss and Oral Roberts.

Smith later added the Kentucky Wildcats to his list, despite the fact that they hadn’t even extended him an offer to that point. They finally did in late July, and that may have been the turning point in Smith’s recruitment. There’s a growing belief that the 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior from Sherwood, Arkansas will end up in Lexington next season. A pair of recent Rivals FurtureCast predictions favor the Wildcats, backing up a mid-February Crystal Ball prediction from 247Sports’ Travis Branham.

A versatile guard with the ability to excel at either back court position, Smith is a good ball-handler, distributor, facilitator and scorer. He’s quick off the bounce, and good at getting into the lane for close buckets. He’s a creative finisher around the rim, and can extend the defense out past the three-point line. He’s also got tremendous size for his position.

Smith, who has already visited Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgetown, Kansas and Oklahoma, is the 27th-ranked senior in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s fourth among players at his position, and No.1 in the state of Arkansas. He’s even higher in the Top247 at No. 20, though he’s currently just 39th in the Rivals150.