The Blue Devils are officially on the hunt for one of the biggest recruits in the Class of 2026.
The Duke basketball program is strategically planning its recruiting pitches for 2026 prospects, and one player has emerged as a top priority: Jordan Smith Jr., a 5-star recruit, who has scheduled a visit to Durham on September 14, according to Patrick O’Brien of Phenom Hoops. This marks the first known visit for a high school junior, highlighting how swiftly Jon Scheyer has prioritized Smith Jr. this summer.
Standing at 6-foot-3, Smith Jr. is ranked as the No. 8 player in the Class of 2026 by the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is one of three players in his class to hold an offer from the Blue Devils, alongside Brandon McCoy Jr., the top-ranked player in the country, and Miikka Muurinen, a 4-star forward.
While no other visits for Smith Jr. have been confirmed, it is expected that many high-major programs will host him this fall.
Smith Jr. showcased his talents as a member of the USA Basketball U17 squad this summer, contributing to their gold medal win in the FIBA U17 World Cup with an average of 5.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Despite being one of the younger players, he stood out on a roster featuring some of the best 2025 players in the nation.
In addition to Duke, Smith Jr. holds an offer from North Carolina. However, Duke remains confident in its pursuit, as Smith Jr. hails from Paul VI (Va.), a school that has produced several players who have made their way to Durham in recent years.
Notably, the Blue Devils have secured the backcourt duo of Jeremy Roach and Trevor Keels, as well as current freshmen Darren Harris and Patrick Ngongba II from Paul VI. There is hope that Jordan Smith Jr. will join this legacy and continue the strong pipeline from Paul VI to Duke.
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