5-stars Jordan Walsh, Nick Smith talk Anthony Black decision

One of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2022 class will come off the board tonight when Coppell (Texas) Duncanville combo guard Anthony Black announces his commitment decision.

The No. 19 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus rankings is down to Gonzaga, TCU, Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and the G-League Ignite program.

One program, however, has taken a commanding lead in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Arkansas holds a 92.5 percent chance of securing his commitment, with each of the other four options trailing far behind.

The Razorbacks currently have the country’s No. 8 overall class in the 2022 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings. That includes five-stars Jordan Walsh and Nick Smith Jr., both of whom are at the McDonald’s All-American Games this week.

Here’s what each told KSR’s Zack Geohagen and Jack Pilgrim about Black’s decision:

Walsh: “It would be great because like I said with the McDonald’s All-American game, to have those guys that you know you’ve known for so long, to with you on our journey is great. It’s a great thing. I want him to succeed. I want everybody to succeed that’s from my hometown including other people who aren’t from my hometown, but it’d be great to see him there and have him in there with me, especially being at Arkansas, I’ll have somebody that’s from the crib with me, be there. But the recruiting pitch now is just like I want him to do the best thing for him. If Arkansas isn’t the best thing for him then no I don’t want him to do that. I just want him to find the best situation for himself. If that’s not Arkansas okay, that’s cool. I still want you to succeed. So go do your thing. But if you think it’s Arkansas or you think Arkansas has a chance to be that for you then he needs to come over here and we’ll do something special for sure.”

Smith: “I mean, a lot of people think I’m like, some type of — just try to go out there and get (a recruit). I’m not that type of guy. You know, I try to tell him what’s going on around (Arkansas). He asks me questions, I tell him what’s going on. I’m not that type of guy to just to push him to go to Arkansas. But you know, at the end of the day, Anthony Black will make his best decision for him and his family. I want him to be happy. If it’s him coming to Arkansas, it’s him coming to Arkansas and we’re gonna win a lot of games. If he don’t, I mean, it’s not in his best interest. So, you know, I just try to tell him each and every day, ‘Don’t let everybody rattle you, just make your own decision. Make your own decision.’ It’s his decision.”

Anthony Black Scouting Summary

“Has a basketball player’s frame. Broad shoulders, very projectable once he gets into a college strength and conditioning program. Game can be very smooth. Is solid off the bounce, in short bursts, in the half-court. Can knock down shots extending out the three. Has confidence on the ball, as a secondary ball-handler. Needs to continue gaining strength, which may help him give more consistent performances. Dad played football at a high level. Plays above the rim in transition. Can see the floor.” — Jamie Shaw, On3 National Recruiting Analyst