Arkansas Commit Jordan Smith Jr. Named 2025-26 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Jordan Smith Jr. is expected to be a future star of the Arkansas men's basketball program.

But first, he is a national award winner at the high school level.

Smith was named the 2025-26 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year on Thursday, defeating fellow finalists Cameron Williams and Jason Crowe Jr.

Williams is headed to Duke, while Crowe is going to Missouri.

Crowe and Smith figure to face each other during their collegiate careers considering they are both headed to the SEC.

But initial bragging rights, at least when it comes to this award, belong to Smith.

The award is handed out annually in a celebration of the best high school athletes across the country who thrive in sports, academics and in the community. Peyton Manning, Paige Bueckers, Jayson Tatum, Cooper Flagg and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are among those who have won it in the past.

Duke star Cameron Boozer won the award last year.

There is no doubting Smith's ability on the floor, as he is a 5-star prospect and the No. 3 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He is also the top-ranked combo guard and someone who could assume a leadership role with the Razorbacks as soon as he arrives.

Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports didn't exactly hold back when evaluating Smith.

"There may not be a player in high school basketball who impacts winning in more ways or with the same consistency as Jordan Smith," he wrote. "The Paul VI and Team Takeover guard has terrific physical tools and even better competitive intangibles that allow him to change the game on both ends of the floor.

"He averaged 19.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1 block per game during the recent EYBL season."

He can do a little bit of everything on the floor as an impressive defender who can also attack the rim off the bounce, hit from the outside and facilitate when opponents collapse on him.

Smith has the skill set to become an absolute star at Arkansas and follow in the footsteps of Darius Acuff Jr. from this season's team.

Regardless of what happens during his collegiate career, though, he will always be a Gatorade Player of the Year for his high school efforts.