Nick Smith, elite combo guard, down to four schools

Nick Smith, a 6-foot-4 combo guard out of Sherwood (Ark.) North Little Rock is down to four schools – Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, and Arkansas Pine-Bluff, according to his Instagram.

Smith, the no. 5 ranked combo guard in the On3 100, cut the two pro options – the Overtime Elite league and the NBL – late last month. This time around, Smith will no longer consider Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Memphis.

There is now a 50/50 shot that Nick Smith will either play college ball in his home state of Arkansas or in the state of Alabama.

Smith has visited each of his finalists but does currently not have a timetable for a commitment. The University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff (UAPB) is the newest addition to his list. UAPB is a local HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). Smith visited Pine Bluff in late August and decided to add them into consideration.

Smith discussed Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas in a previous interview with On3.

Alabama showed love

“Alabama was my first visit, so I didn’t really know what to expect,” Nick Smith said. “But as soon as my family touched down, I got nothing but love from them. Just sitting down with Coach (Nate) Oats, and the players… I got to see how he treated his players. And the environment, in terms of them getting players to the pros. It was a good experience for me and my family.”

Smith said he’s a big fan of the Crimson Tide’s playing style.

“They like to get up and down,” Smith said. “They play great defense. Coach Oats is a very intense guy. He’s going to let you hoop but you also have to be very good on the defensive end. How I would fit in would be my energy… just bringing my energy to that group. I feel like it would help me and help the team.”

“Family” ties at Auburn

“Bruce Pearl, the way he treats his players, the way he talks to his players and his coaching staff, it was something I had to look at,” Nick Smith said. “Their style of play would help me get to the pros. Wes Flanigan coaches there. He’s like my uncle. Not blood, just close. It’s just something I had to look into. He’s very loyal to his players as well.”

Arkansas’ pro staff

“Coach Muss (Eric Musselman) has a pro vibe to him,” Nick Smith said. “Obviously he’s been a coach in the league. His dad coached in the league, too. His coaching staff has been in the league, also. Their program and the way they play and just the way he runs stuff over there… it’s just a real, true NBA vibe.”