Blue Devil Country

Five-Star Jordan Smith Jr. Exhibits Desired Duke Basketball Qualities

Potential Duke basketball recruiting target Jordan Smith Jr. has a motor that stands out as soon as he steps foot on the court.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball recruiting prospect Jordan Smith Jr.
Duke basketball recruiting prospect Jordan Smith Jr. | Amanda Inscore/The News-Press USA Today

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Duke Blue Devils

Jordan Smith Jr. is a high-octane athlete boasting over a dozen offers. That list doesn't include the Duke basketball program. But it's likely only a matter of time before it does, as the long-limbed guard's uptempo style in making positive things happen all over the court matches what Blue Devil head coach Jon Scheyer has been looking for on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal of late.

Plus, it doesn't hurt that the 6-foot-3, 175-pound Smith, a five-star who now ranks No. 5 overall and No. 2 at his position on the 2026 ESPN 60, attends a Duke basketball pipeline prep powerhouse in Paul VI Catholic (Va.). Last season, he was teammates with now-Blue Devil freshmen Darren Harris and Patrick Ngongba II.

Again, though, it's Smith's prowess as a defensive initiator and offensive attacker that should be most attractive to the staff in Durham. Duke was present for one of his recent games with the loaded USA Basketball U17 National Team in Group B play at the ongoing FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul.

And in that squad's eye-popping 146-62 win over China on Tuesday to cap off a 3-0 record entering tournament action, Smith helped lead the way defensively to the tune of his game-high six steals in only 17 minutes off the bench.

The zooming playmaker added 10 points, shooting 4-for-7 from the field and 2-for-4 beyond the arc, along with one rebound, four assists, two blocks, and zero turnovers.

Smith is a Team USA teammate to five full-fledged Duke basketball recruiting targets, each a five-star 2025 prospects ranking among the top 20 in the class, in Columbus (Fla.) forward Cameron Boozer, Utah Prep forward AJ Dybantsa, Perry (Ariz.) forward Koa Peat, La Lumiere (Ind.) guard Jalen Haralson, and Columbus guard Cayden Boozer.

They face the Philippines in the Round of 16 at 7:30 a.m. ET Wednesday.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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