The Arkansas Razorbacks put together a tremendous 2020-2021 college basketball season that resulted in a trip to the Elite Eight (where they lost to eventual national champion Baylor). Head coach Eric Musselman has already made an enormous difference on the Arkansas hoops program, and now the Hogs have added an elite recruit to the mix.
Consensus five-star recruit Nick Smith Jr. announced on Wednesday night that he’ll attend Arkansas. The 6’4″ guard is the No. 6 overall recruit in the class of 2022, according to ESPN. He’s also a local kid, playing high school basketball at Sylvan Hills HS in Sherwood, AR.
Naturally, those in attendance for the announcement were very happy that Smith chose to stay in-state.
#BREAKING: ESPN 5 ⭐️/ #6 Nat’l (2022) Nick Smith Jr (@ntsmith1402) out of North Little Rock is staying home! He has committed to @RazorbackMBB!
This is the highest rated recruit for Arkansas since Corliss Williamson committed. @KATVNews @sully7777 @KATVKyle #arpreps pic.twitter.com/R79idwYSq6
— Max Bennett (@Max_Bennett17) September 30, 2021
But the reaction from that crowd is nothing like the reaction at a watch party hosted by Musselman.
When Smith announced his commitment to the Razorbacks, Musselman and company went absolutely bonkers, with plenty of screaming, champagne bottles going off, and people even jumping into a swimming pool. This is incredible:
#LivintheLife pic.twitter.com/UC3xJO0chU
— Danyelle Musselman (@DanyelleSargent) September 30, 2021
Smith responded to that on Twitter:
jesus😂😂😂
— Nick Smith Jr (@ntsmith1402) September 30, 2021
Eric had one tweet from his own account:
#LivintheLife pic.twitter.com/sLSvrMo7pg
— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) September 30, 2021
What the hoops program is building is certainly great cause for celebration in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks now have four top-100 recruits in the class of 2022, according to 247 Sports.
Smith chose Arkansas over SEC rivals Alabama and Auburn.
[Photo Credit: Danyelle Sargent-Musselman]
