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

Top-15 overall recruit Isaiah Hill, a 7-foot center, commits to Purdue
Isaiah Hill, the No. 1 ranked center in the 2027 class, has committed to Purdue. The 7-foot big man out of Pike High School (IN)...
Thu May 21, 2026

Top-10 sophomore Kameron Mercer commits to Cincinnati basketball, to reclassify to 2027
Top-10 high school sophomore Kam Mercer committed to Cincinnati basketball on Thursday while also announcing he plans to reclassify into the 2027 class. Mercer is...
Thu May 21, 2026

Oklahoma State Transfer Jaylen Curry Commits To Virginia Tech Basketball
Virginia Tech and Mike Young received a commitment from Oklahoma State guard Jaylen Curry. Curry averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game...
Wed May 20, 2026

Indiana transfer guard Nick Dorn commits to Miami basketball
Indiana transfer guard Nick Dorn has committed to the Miami Hurricanes after a season in which he averaged 8.1 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting...
Wed May 20, 2026