IU

Top 100 forward Justin Smith commits to IU basketball

Zach Osterman
zach.osterman@indystar.com
Stevenson Patriots' Justin Smith (3) looks on during a free throw during the McDonald's City-Suburban Showdown game at Niles West H.S. in Skokie, Ill.

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana's 2017 recruiting class gained its first frontcourt player Monday night, when Lincolnshire (Ill.) Adlai Stevenson forward Justin Smith picked the Hoosiers.

He had narrowed his recruitment down to IU and defending champion Villanova.

"I am humbled by the opportunities I was given to play for many great schools," Smith wrote in a statement posted to Twitter. "I am honored to have met great coaching staffs and people throughout this process. I am grateful for my teachers, coaches and parents, who have helped me develop as a student athlete. And I am thrilled to announce that I will continue my education and play basketball at Indiana University."

A 6-7 forward from the Chicago area, Smith took an official visit to Indiana on Sept. 10, and the Hoosiers had long been considered a leading player in his recruitment. IU coach Tom Crean and assistant coach Rob Judson spearheaded Indiana's pursuit.

"Smith is someone who will bring a multitude of things to Indiana, which is perfect for what Tom Crean has tried to do in the last few years, with multidimensional players," said ESPN recruiting insider Jeff Borzello. "He can play either forward position, and is a versatile defender.

"Crean went into the 2017 class knowing he needed at least one frontcourt player, and Smith is capable of stepping into the lineup if (sophomore forward OG) Anunoby has a big sophomore season and leaves early."

Monday night, Smith joined Lilburn (Ga.) guard Al Durham in the Hoosiers' 2017 class. Smith is ranked the No. 76 player in the 247Sports Composite, and the No. 17 power forward. That same ranking rates him a four-star recruit.

In addition to IU and Villanova, Smith also reported offers from, among others, Xavier, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Illinois, Northwestern, Stanford and Florida State.

"​I think he's definitely a four-year guy. The biggest thing he has is athleticism," said Brian Snow, basketball recruiting analyst for Scout.com. "He's got a decent motor. He's not super skilled yet, but I'm sure they'll use him in some of the ways they used Troy (Williams). You can call that a four, call that a three. He's gonna play and he's gonna make things happen."

Smith's recruitment isn't expected to impact the Hoosiers' pursuit of North Central forward and leading IndyStar Mr. Basketball candidate Kris Wilkes. Wilkes has long sat atop coach Tom Crean's wish list in the current senior class.

"Justin and Kris can definitely play together. This isn't a surprise to Kris," Snow said. "They're both athletic, 6-7, 6-8. They're both talented, both versatile. If Tom Crean couldn't find a way to make that work, he wouldn't be a basketball coach."

The Hoosiers are also in heavy pursuit of West Haven (Conn.) Notre Dame point guard Tremont Waters, who visited Bloomington last weekend and is also considering Kentucky and Kansas.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.