Nick Smith Jr.

Smith is an American scoring guard who entered the NBA as a first-round pick in 2023 after a decorated high school career and a brief, injury-interrupted season at Arkansas. Known for his three-point shooting and offensive creativity, he has shown flashes of scoring potential in the NBA while battling injuries and adjusting to the professional level.

Born Nicholas Smith Jr. on April 18, 2004, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, he attended Sylvan Hills High School before transferring to North Little Rock High School for his senior year. He was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Boys Player of the Year as a junior and senior and led North Little Rock to a 26-3 record and the Arkansas Class 6A state championship. He was selected to the 2022 McDonald's All-American Boys Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

Smith was a consensus five-star recruit and the No. 1 overall player in the 2022 class by 247Sports. On September 29, 2021, he committed to Arkansas over Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. As a freshman, he was hampered by a persistent knee injury and appeared in only 17 games, averaging 12.5 points. He returned late in the season to help Arkansas advance to the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA tournament, where they lost to Connecticut.

The Charlotte Hornets selected Smith with the 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft. As a rookie, he shot 43.2 percent from three-point range, becoming only the second NBA rookie age 19 or younger to reach that threshold, alongside Jayson Tatum. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 9.9 points in 60 appearances. He was waived by the Hornets on September 25, 2025, and signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on September 29, 2025.

Smith is a scoring guard with deep three-point range, a quick release, and the ability to create off the dribble. His offensive polish and shooting touch project well as complementary skills at the NBA level. Defensively, he competes with effort and positioning but remains a work in progress. His development focus centers on health, consistency, and expanding his playmaking.