Point guard Mark Smith chooses Illinois over Kentucky, Michigan State, others

Posted Apr 27, 2017
Mark Smith concluded his unprecedented rise from fire-balling pitching prospect to high-major basketball recruit when he pulled on a hat with an orange block I Wednesday. The Illinois Mr. Basketball and Illinois Gatorade player of the year, Smith chose to play for Illinois despite receiving more than 20 offers — including Kentucky, Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State and Texas. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Related: College Basketball Recruiting

2026 power forward Chris Birden Jr commits to Miami basketball
Miami has landed South Kent (Conn.) power forward Chris Birden Jr., who pledged to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. Birden is the second commit of UM’s...
Fri May 15, 2026

Elon Transfer Guard Ned Hull Commits To Virginia Tech Basketball
Virginia Tech men’s basketball and Mike Young received a commitment from Elon guard Ned Hull. Hull averaged 4.5 points and 1.8 rebounds per game as...
Fri May 15, 2026

FAU transfer big man Maxim Logue commits to Memphis basketball
Memphis basketball coach Penny Hardaway has added a commitment from FAU big man Maxim Logue. The 6-foot-9, 230-pound junior from Lyon, France, was previously committed...
Thu May 14, 2026

UC Irvine Transfer Guard Jurian Dixon Commits To Virginia Basketball
After a quiet start to the transfer portal season, the Virginia basketball team secured its first commitment Monday. Guard Jurian Dixon out of UC Irvine...
Thu May 14, 2026