Tougness Personified: Jordan Smith Jr. Class of 2026 | Shooting Guard | Paul VI Catholic (Fairfax, VA)/Team Takeover | 6'3", 200lbs.
There's a reason Jordan Smith Jr. is drawing interest from top programs nationwide — he's an elite athlete with a relentless drive to win.
Atheltic Makeup
name: Jordan Smith Jr
Position: Guard/ Wing
height: 6’2”
Weight: 200lbs.
Size & Physicality:
At 6’3” and 200 pounds guard , Smith Jr. boasts a muscular build, broad shoulders, and powerful legs. His physical profile is ideal for an attacking guard, and he uses it to full effect. He thrives in transition and is an explosive finisher at the rim, capable of converting with both highlight-reel dunks and crafty layups. His jumping ability and burst make him a problem for defenders particularly in the open court, especially when he's getting downhill. While not exceptionally tall for his position, Smith Jr. consistently plays bigger than his listed size, using his strength, long arms, bounce, and assertiveness to impose his will on both ends of the court.
Overview
Jordan plays for national powerhouse Paul VI Catholic, located in Chantilly, Virginia—a program that has become a perennial force in high school basketball. Over the past decade, Paul VI has earned a reputation as one of the premier pipelines to elite college programs and the NBA, consistently producing top-tier talent. Since arriving at Paul VI as a freshman, Jordan has thrived both academically and athletically. On the court, he has drawn interest from nearly every blue blood program in the country, with Duke emerging as the clear frontrunner.
Duke Conection
The Blue Devils have made Jordan a top recruiting priority, and their pursuit shows no signs of slowing. Head coach Jon Scheyer is especially impressed by Jordan’s competitive fire and defensive tenacity—attributes that align perfectly with Duke’s aggressive, switch-heavy, man-to-man defensive philosophy.
The Duke–Paul VI pipeline is well established, with multiple former Panthers having recently played at Duke. Notable names include:
Jeremy Roach
Trevor Keels
Darren Harris
Patrick Ngongba II
Could Jordan be next in line to keep Duke-PVI relationship going?
Offense Attacking/Downhill
Smith’s explosive first step and elite leaping ability make him a constant threat when attacking the basket. Off the dribble, he’s a nightmare to contain—blowing by defenders with ease and consistently delivering highlight-reel finishes at the rim. While he can effortlessly rise above defenders, it’s his advanced footwork and touch in traffic that truly stand out. His straight-line drives are aggressive, and his change of direction off the bounce is elite. He plays low to the ground with a compact frame, allowing him to generate tremendous burst on quick moves. When paired with his body control and ability to adjust midair, Smith becomes a dynamic and versatile finisher—traits that project extremely well to the next level.
Smith’s aggression, feel and poise sets him apart a lot of the times. He plays with maturity, never rushing or relying on unnecessary flash. Instead, he leans on strong fundamentals and a polished handle to get to his spots with purpose. One of the most impressive aspects of his game is how often he plays off two feet—giving him balance, body control, and the ability to absorb contact and finish through defenders.
Projection
College Projection: Smith projects as an immediate impact player at the high-major level, with the tools and mentality to contribute from day one. His athleticism, defensive instincts, and polished offensive game make him a strong candidate to earn early minutes, regardless of the roster's depth. He has clear All-American potential and brings the kind of two-way versatility that coaches covet. Defensively, he has the length, foot speed, and motor to become a staple on an All-Conference Defensive Team, capable of guarding all guard positions and creating turnovers. As his perimeter consistency continues to develop, his ceiling rises even higher—giving him the upside to evolve into a go-to player on both ends of the floor and one of the more complete guards in college basketball.
Recruiting Outlook
Duke is widely considered a frontrunner for Smith, due in large part to the program’s strong pipeline to Paul VI and the presence of his former teammates, Patrick Ngongba II and Darren Harris, both current Blue Devils. The mutual interest between Smith and head coach Jon Scheyer has been evident from the start, with Scheyer spearheading a relentless and focused recruitment effort for well over a year. That persistent attention—combined with the trust built through past Paul VI connections—puts Duke in prime position to land one of the most sought-after prospects in the 2026 class. His recruitment will be one to track.