BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Former North Little Rock and Arkansas guard Nick Smith has a new home in Charlotte.
Smith, 6-5, 185 pounds, was selected by the Hornets with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft on Thursday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
He joins former Alabama forward Brandon Miller in Charlotte who was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick.
Smith's lone season at Arkansas was hampered by a lingering knee injury, missing 19 of 36 games.
Despite Smith's unfortunate year, the Jacksonville, Ark., native still managed to average 12.5 points on 37% shooting from the field, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds.
Entering the 2022-23 season, Smith was ranked the No. 1 recruit in the country by 247Sports out of North Little Rock High School and was a projected top-five pick after leading the Charging Wildcats to a 65-47 victory over Bentonville in the Class 6A state championship.
Arkansas had three players selected in the 2023 NBA Draft, marking the fourth time at least three were chosen in the same year: 1992 (4), 1982 (3) and 1979 (3).
Along with Smith, the Orlando Magic drafted Anthony Black with the sixth overall pick and Jordan Walsh was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round at No. 38 overall.
Former Arkansas forward Ricky Council went undrafted, but signed a two-way rookie contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.