MBB Class of 2022 Update (Jan. 23)

January 23, 2022

Nick Smith Jr.
6-5, 185, G
North Little Rock, Ark. (North Little Rock HS)

Attended Arkansas’ win over Texas A&M on Saturday
Listed as the #3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and the top incoming college freshman by ESPN
North Little Rock is #9 in the MaxPreps HS rankings and #17 in ESPN
Scored 30 in a 78-52 win over Conway
Did not play due to injury in North Little Rock’s win over Fort Smith Northside
Upcoming: Jan. 25 at Bryant and Jan. 28 at Cabot

Jordan Walsh
6-7, 200, G/F
Desoto, Texas (Link Year (Mo.) Academy)

Listed #11 on the NBADraftRoom.com 2023 NBA Mock Draft and #26 on NBADraft.net
Link Year is #8 in the ESPN HS rankings
Scored 15 points and helped Link Year beat Prolific (Calif.) Prep, 70-61, at the HOOPHALL CLASSIC (Springfield Mass.) – a game that was played on ESPNU.
Link Year improved to 26-0 with wins over Burlington School and St. Rita.
Upcoming: Feb. 4-5 at Metro Classic (Toms River, N.J.) – Love Christian (Feb. 4) and Patrick School (Feb. 5)

Derrian Ford
6-4, 210, G
Magnolia, Ark. (Magnolia HS)

Had 18 points (6-of-8 FG) with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in a 70-29 win over Camden.
Tallied 22 points (10-of-12 FG) in an 82-21 win over Hamburg.
Upcoming: Jan. 25 vs Magnolia and Jan. 28 vs Watson Chapel

Barry Dunning Jr.
6-6, 195, F
Mobile, Ala. (McGill Toolen Catholic HS)

Posted a double-double (28 points with 11 rebounds) in a 70-43 win over Citronelle.
Now has 1,729 career points and 962 career rebounds and is McGill Toolen’s all-time leader in both categories.
Upcoming: Jan. 25 at Citronelle and Jan. 28 vs Blount

Joseph Pinion
6-6, 185, F
Morrilton, Ark. (Morrilton HS)

Attended Arkansas’ win over Texas A&M on Saturday
Had a double-double to lead Morrilton to a 78-64 win over Clarksville with 24 points and 11 rebounds while adding five assists, five steals and two blocked shots.
Upcoming: Jan. 25 vs Heber Springs and Jan. 28 vs Dardanelle