FAYETTEVILLE — This isn’t Arkansas’ first basketball rodeo with its most heralded freshman lassoed injured to the bench.
Guard Nick Smith so excelled at North Little Rock High School and AAU ball to be voted first-team Preseason All-SEC and is a projected high first-round NBA draft choice.
Smith still hasn’t played officially for Coach Eric Musselman’s 5-1 Razorbacks.
The UA word expresses Smith undergoing treatment for “right knee management.”
Beyond that, who knows?
Observing Smith energetically encouraging teammates, this isn’t some prima donna just biding his pre-draft time on the UA’s dime. He obviously wants to play if able.