5-star 2018 forward Jalen Smith lists Maryland among top schools

Baltimore-area five-star forward Jalen Smith listed Maryland alongside four other schools in an interview with Rivals this week.

The Mount Saint Joseph’s superstar is the No. 20 overall prospect in the Class of 2018 and the No. 8 power forward in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Smith had an outstanding junior year, helping the Gaels win both the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference and Baltimore Catholic League championships alongside 2017 Maryland signee Darryl Morsell. He was also named an All-Metro Co-Player of the Year.

Here’s what he had to say about Maryland:

“It is a great program. I really like how coach (Mark) Turgeon coaches the players and treats them the same way that he would treat everyone else. He is making sure they are working hard every practice but I really like how they’re involved with their academics life.”

Smith also had nice things to say about Virginia, Syracuse, Miami and Villanova, four other schools that he said are standing out in his recruitment.

Smith told Rivals that he “plans to trim his list down in late July or early August.”

The 247Sports Crystal Ball is pointing unanimously toward Maryland.

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