The LSU basketball program is under new leadership, as Johnny Jones was let go in the spring in favor of former VCU head coach Will Wade. While the Tigers have struggled on the floor in recent years, the program has been able to recruit at a high level at times (hello, Ben Simmons) and that continued under the direction of Wade on Friday.
Wade and his staff were able to pick up a commitment from the rising senior that 247Sports describes as the top overall player in the state of Louisiana in five-star point guard Javonte Smart.
Blessed to say I am committed to LSU💛💜.. bootUp pic.twitter.com/vWvy8XTIti
— Javonte Smart (@JavonteSmart) June 30, 2017
Smart ranks as the No. 21 overall prospect in the Class of 2018 by the 247Sports composite and with that comes a ranking as the No. 6 point guard in the country. The 6'4, 185-pound ball-handler has the size to play both guard spots at the next level and teams like Kentucky, Kansas, Ohio State and Florida State reportedly expressed interest before he chose to remain close to home.
The youngster hails from Scotlandville Magnet School in Baton Rouge, meaning that the Tigers did not have to go far to recruit him. Still, this is an unquestioned victory for the Will Wade era at LSU and Smart could help to lure other top-flight prospects to join him.
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