Jordan Smith Jr. didn’t just make an entrance at the City of Palms Classic-he kicked the door down.
The 2026 five-star shooting guard and Syracuse priority target put on an absolute clinic in Fort Myers, Florida, dropping a scorching 40 points in just 23 minutes as St. Paul VI Catholic (Chantilly, Va.) steamrolled Garfield Heights (Ohio), 93-60, in the tournament’s opening game. The performance, broadcast nationally on NBA TV, was a statement-loud, clear, and impossible to ignore.
Smith’s stat line reads like something out of a video game: 16-of-25 from the field, 8-of-10 from the line, plus five assists, four boards, and three steals. He poured in 29 of his 40 in the first half alone, effectively putting the game out of reach before the break. Efficiency, poise, and relentless pressure-Smith checked every box.
This wasn’t just a hot hand. It was a masterclass in shot creation and two-way dominance.
Smith’s mid-range game was dialed in, his defensive motor was running high, and in transition, he was lethal. Whether it was pulling up off the bounce or finishing through contact, he looked every bit the part of a player ready to challenge for the No. 1 spot in the 2026 class.
And that’s not hyperbole. Already labeled by many scouts as the best perimeter defender in the class, Smith is now pairing that elite defense with a rapidly evolving offensive package. If he keeps stacking performances like this, he’ll be in the thick of the conversation for the top overall prospect in the country.
For Syracuse fans keeping tabs, this is exactly the kind of performance that reinforces why Smith is a top priority. He’s got the Orange in his final six, alongside Duke, Arkansas, Georgetown, Kentucky, and Indiana. He’s visited Syracuse twice unofficially, most recently in early November, and the staff has been in pursuit since offering him back in May 2023.
Smith’s Panthers squad, currently ranked No. 2 nationally among state-affiliated programs by MaxPreps, is loaded and has legitimate Chipotle Nationals aspirations. They’ll move on in the City of Palms Classic’s "classic bracket" to face the winner of Calvary Christian (Fla.) vs.
Owasso (Okla.). With Smith leading the charge, they look every bit the part of a title contender.
And the Orange’s recruiting presence in Fort Myers doesn’t stop with Smith. Two more Syracuse targets are also suiting up in the tournament: 2027 five-star wing Moussa Kamissoko of Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) and 2027 five-star big man Paul Osaruyi of CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.). Both are playing in separate brackets-Kamissoko in the "classic" and Osaruyi in the "signature series"-and both are considered potential reclass candidates to 2026.
Back in Chantilly, St. Paul VI is riding high.
The Panthers recently extended their home winning streak to 40 games with a win over No. 15-ranked Stepinac, a game in which Smith dropped another 26 points. He’s been consistently dominant all season, and Thursday’s 40-point explosion is just the latest reminder that he’s one of the most complete guards in the country-on both ends of the floor.
For now, Jordan Smith Jr. is lighting up the high school hardwood. But if you’re Syracuse-or any of the other five programs in his final list-you’re hoping he’ll be doing the same in your colors not too far down the road.