Arkansas Razorbacks star freshman guard Nick Smith is listed out indefinitely due to what the school is calling “knee management”. This will be his second absence from the team after missing the first six games of the season due to the same concern. Arkansas called it precautionary at the time. Smith is considered a top-five prospect for the 2023 NBA Draft and possibly the top prospect that is coming out of college basketball this season. The hope is the team can get him healthy in time for the heart of conference play in 2023.
Here’s what Eric Musselman said about Nick Smith Jr’s status going forward pic.twitter.com/xTHM9PK1f8
— Tyler Cass (@TVTylerCass) December 22, 2022
In five games this season with the Arkansas Razorbacks, Nick Smith is averaging 12.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He has paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 38.9 percent and a three-point percentage of 30 percent. Overall he has shown flashes of talent, but without being able to consistently play it has been somewhat up and down.
Nick Smith and Arkansas are protecting the guard’s knee and being precautions at this time. Protecting his knee for both later in the season and the 2023 NBA Draft is vital for both the guard and the program. We here at Def Pen Sports wish him the best in his knee management and eventual return to the court.
