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Maryland Basketball: Terps commit Jalen Smith rises in rankings

By Chris Bengel

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 16: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Maryland Terrapins reacts in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Amway Center on March 16, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Maryland already has a strong two-man recruiting class in 2018 with Jalen Smith and Aaron Wiggins in the fold.

In 247Sports’ updated 2018 rankings, Smith saw a big rise after a strong summer on the AAU circuit.

Smith rose 18 spots to No. 23 and is now a five-star recruit. The Mount Saint Joseph (Md.) standout was a five-star recruit in the past, but was bumped down to a four-star.

The Maryland pledge played well at Peach Jam last weekend. In five games, he averaged 15.4 points and 7.2 rebounds while also recording 1.4 blocks-per-game.

Smith’s best performance came against Bradley Beal Elite when he scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, including seven on the defensive glass. He also blocked a pair of shots in that contest, which put Team Takeover in the title game against Oakland Soldiers.

Team Takeover ended up falling to the Oakland Soldiers in the championship game. Smith contributed eight points and 11 rebounds in the nationally televised game.

247Sports also has Smith rated as the No. 12 power forward in the 2018 class and the second-best player in Maryland behind just five-star guard and Terps target Immanuel Quickley. Coach Mark Turgeon and his staff are still actively pursuing Quickley to fill their need for a point guard.

Smith is a very talented big man that is extremely active around the rim. He can rebound with the best of them in addition to being a strong finisher at the basket.

Maryland definitely is in need of an athletic big man given their struggles throughout the 2016-17 season. Smith has the type of pedigree of a player that can come in and make an immediate impact.

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Depending on what the Terps get out of freshman Bruno Fernando this coming season, Smith could have plenty of opportunities early in his Maryland career.