Dennis Smith Jr., one of the top prospects in the country in the Class of 2016, has narrowed his list of potential college choices to six, and he's turned his recruitment into a battle between North Carolina and Kentucky schools.
Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, NC State, North Carolina and Wake Forest make up the point guard's final six, and Smith told ESPN on Friday that he'd like to take his official visits in the coming months and host coaches for in-home visits this fall.
"I would like to get it over with if I could, but it's more important that I make the right decision," Smith told ESPN.
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard, Smith is considered one of the top athletes in his class, with explosive leaping ability and quickness. He led the adidas Uprising AAU circuit in assists per game (6.9), and he averaged 16.2 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, too.
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Top '16 PG Smith talks Rozier, eyes U of L
Smith, who is the No. 4 prospect and top-rated point guard in Scout.com's 2016 rankings, has long been considered likely to stay home for college in North Carolina. Louisville entered the recruiting pursuit of Smith earlier this recruiting cycle, while Kentucky more recently joined the fray, offering Smith a scholarship on Tuesday.
He offered up his thoughts on both UK and U of L in his interview with ESPN:
On Kentucky: "Since coach [John Calipari] has been there, all they do is win, and win big. Coach Cal puts the players first and he has coached some point guards in John Wall, who I know, and Derrick Rose, who I love to watch."
On Louisville: "Another great coach in coach (Rick) Pitino, who has won a national championship and coached in the NBA. He does a great job with point guards. I watched Terry Rozier a lot last year. He was one of my favorite players. I was impressed with his development."
Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, NC State, North Carolina and Wake Forest make up the point guard's final six, and Smith told ESPN on Friday that he'd like to take his official visits in the coming months and host coaches for in-home visits this fall.
"I would like to get it over with if I could, but it's more important that I make the right decision," Smith told ESPN.
A 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard, Smith is considered one of the top athletes in his class, with explosive leaping ability and quickness. He led the adidas Uprising AAU circuit in assists per game (6.9), and he averaged 16.2 points and 4.8 rebounds a game, too.
THE COURIER-JOURNAL
Top '16 PG Smith talks Rozier, eyes U of L
Smith, who is the No. 4 prospect and top-rated point guard in Scout.com's 2016 rankings, has long been considered likely to stay home for college in North Carolina. Louisville entered the recruiting pursuit of Smith earlier this recruiting cycle, while Kentucky more recently joined the fray, offering Smith a scholarship on Tuesday.
He offered up his thoughts on both UK and U of L in his interview with ESPN:
On Kentucky: "Since coach [John Calipari] has been there, all they do is win, and win big. Coach Cal puts the players first and he has coached some point guards in John Wall, who I know, and Derrick Rose, who I love to watch."
On Louisville: "Another great coach in coach (Rick) Pitino, who has won a national championship and coached in the NBA. He does a great job with point guards. I watched Terry Rozier a lot last year. He was one of my favorite players. I was impressed with his development."
