re: Tide Hoops | Recruiting

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dubose n ears

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UCLA and Tennessee are expected in today for five-star senior Ernest Udeh Jr., he told @Stockrisers. Had Bama, Michigan, Florida, Kansas, amongst others in for him last week.

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Kansas’ Bill Self will be in today for five-star senior and Top-five prospect Nick Smith Jr., he told @Stockrisers. Is fresh off his official visit to Arkansas.

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"It was cool seeing the atmosphere of the big weekend, and it was cool getting to hang out with the guys," said Smith. "It was a cool vibe just hanging out with them and the team. I kind of already knew a majority of people on the team, but it was good seeing those guys in person. I had never seen Coach Gus and Coach Keith before. Talking to them, they seem like some pretty cool dudes."

Smith was also able to sit in on two of Arkansas' practices and get a first-hand look at the professional style in which Musselman runs his program. As has been the base with most visitors throughout the summer and fall, it was the energy and attention to detail that stood out. "It's very organized," said Smith. "Muss and the coaching staff do a very good job of keeping everybody locked in and focused. It's very energetic."

Not all recruitments are created equal, which is to say everyone has different goals, different paths and different things that matter to them most when choosing their next stop. Smith projects as a potential one-and-done prospect, and while seeing the success of a Hog like Moses Moody obviously shows him that can be accomplished at Arkansas, he is making it a point to keep his focus on what the best possible fit is for him and his future. In terms of Arkansas, something that has grabbed his attention is the 70+ years of professional experience on staff.

"Everybody's situation is different," said Smith. "What interests me is how much experience they have in terms of the league. Everybody is different and my path is different. So, I'm not going to choose someone because somebody else did it. I want to really look into it all before I do anything, but the experience they all have is cool to watch and hear about."

After a stellar junior campaign at Sylvan Hills High School, Smith will spend his senior season on a loaded North Little Rock squad that will garner plenty of national attention. Despite battling through a wrist injury, Smith backed up his five-star rating this summer on the Nike EYBL and at Peach Jam where he averaged 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on 46.9% shooting from the floor, 36.3% from three and 78.1% from the charity stripe with a Brad Beal Elite organization he holds close to the heart.

"Brad Beal Elite took me in as a 14-year-old kid," said Smith. "I had no idea I could be the player I am now, but I know I still have a lot of work to do. They put a lot of confidence in me. It was a family vibe. Everybody got theirs, it wasn't a one-man show or anything like that. 32COMMENTS "The coaching staff in terms of stuff like that is always big with keeping us on the same page. It just clicked with me from Day 1 with me and the organization. When I was down, they kept picking me up and stuck with me. I built a brotherhood and relationships with that organization and build relationships with the coaches that will be with me forever. In terms of that, Brad Beal Elite means a lot to me."

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