Freshman guard Jordan Smith Jr. of the Arkansas Razorbacks has been named one of 20 candidates on the 2027 Bob Cousy Award watch list. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced the list on Monday.
The Bob Cousy Award, now in its 24th year, honors the top point guard in NCAA Division I men’s basketball. It is named after Class of 1971 Hall of Famer Bob Cousy, who played for Holy Cross and the Boston Celtics. Past winners include notable talents such as Tyler Ulis in 2016 and Darius Acuff Jr. in 2026. Both were coached by John Calipari.
Smith enters his first collegiate season after a decorated high school career. Last year, he garnered recognition as the consensus National High School Player of the Year. A McDonald’s All-American, Smith also played in the Nike Hoops Summit, the Jordan Brand Classic, and earned first-team All-American honors from MaxPreps, USA Today, Sporting News, and the Naismith Awards.
The Razorbacks will continue their preseason schedule on Wednesday, October 28, with an exhibition game against the Memphis Tigers. The game begins at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+. It is not included in the regular season ticket package, and tickets are available for purchase.
Smith joins a talented group of athletes on the award watch list, which features players from programs across the nation, including Indiana’s Markus Burton, Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau, Missouri’s Jason Crowe Jr., and numerous others.
The Razorbacks are preparing for the 2026-27 season with high expectations, bolstered by Smith’s potential as a standout player.