""I chose Arkansas because coach Calipari can help improve my game. Playing for him is a blessing; he has had great success with many guards in the past," Smith told ESPN. "My goals are to help win a championship with my coaches and teammates, make friends for life, and hopefully be a one-and-done - in a positive and confident way, not cocky. I want to impact the program like Darius Acuff. We're different players, but I want to have the same impact.""
""The first time I spoke to Coach Calipari, he asked me what my goal was," he said. "I said it was to be a first-round pick, and he replied, 'Why not aim higher than that?' Let's get you there and push you to a higher level. Don't put limits on yourself.' That really meant a lot to me, that he believes in me that much. He has been very straightforward throughout the recruiting process, and I enjoy talking to him.""
Jordan Smith, a top-five senior and the highest-rated guard in the 2026 class, committed to Arkansas to play for John Calipari. He selected Arkansas over Duke, Georgetown and Syracuse, with Indiana and Kentucky among his finalists. He will step into the role vacated by freshman Darius Acuff, a projected lottery pick. Smith cited Calipari's history developing guards and described goals of winning a championship, forging lasting teammateship, and pursuing a one-and-done path. Smith developed a strong relationship with Calipari during recruitment and left his Arkansas visit feeling it was the right fit. He is a 6-foot-2 guard ranked No. 3 in SC Next 100 and finished top 10 in EYBL scoring.
Read at ESPN.com
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