In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the Razorbacks, under the guidance of coach John Calipari, are currently engaged with another high-profile transfer, as reported by Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.
Deivon Smith, formerly of Utah, is in search of his fourth collegiate institution in five seasons. Despite his collegiate journey, Smith is taking his time to deliberate on his next move. He commenced his career in the SEC with Mississippi State during the COVID-affected 2020-21 season. During his freshman year, he featured in 33 games for the Bulldogs, starting eight, and showcased respectable performances, averaging five points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game.
Following two moderately successful seasons at Georgia Tech, Smith transferred to Utah for his senior year, where he experienced both statistical and team success. The seasoned point guard played a pivotal role in leading the Utes to a 22-15 overall record, including a 9-11 record in the PAC-12 conference, marking Utah’s first 20-win season since 2017-18.
Smith’s performance has garnered attention, with 247Sports ranking him as one of the top available transfers in the nation, positioned at No. 12 overall, No. 3 among point guards, and No. 5 among uncommitted transfers. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 175 pounds, Smith achieved career-best averages of 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game in his senior season, showcasing impressive shooting percentages of 47% from the field, 41% from three-point range, and 68% from the free-throw line.
With only 5-star true freshman Boogie Fland signed for the upcoming season, Calipari is in need of an experienced point guard to lead his team. Smith’s dynamic playing style, characterized by quick drives to the hoop and adept scoring across all levels, along with his astute decision-making on the court, where he averages just four turnovers per 100 possessions over his collegiate career, make him an enticing prospect.
During his time at Utah, Smith demonstrated his ability to distribute the ball effectively, assisting on 18% of the team’s total shot attempts. His proficiency in both scoring and facilitating would significantly bolster Arkansas’ offense, especially when paired with fellow transfer Johnell Davis and in pick-and-roll scenarios alongside Jonas Aidoo.
Smith is set to visit St. John’s and meet with Rick Pitino over the weekend. Now that Arkansas and Louisville are in contention, his narrowed down list which initially included only the Red Storm, Washington, and West Virginia, might see additional options being considered.
