State's top hoops prospect picks LSU

Scott Ferrell
Shreveport Times

The state's top basketball prospect for 2018 announced an oral commitment to sign with LSU on Friday.

Scotlandville High School's Ja'Vonte Smart, considered to be a five-star prospect, chose the Tigers over Kentucky, Kansas, Florida State, UCLA, Oklahoma State and others. He reportedly had 10 scholarship offers.

Smart, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound point guard, is ranked as the No. 21 player nationally in 247sports' composite rankings. He is also 247sports' No. 6 point guard nationally.

Smart has been named Louisiana's Mr. Basketball in each of the last two seasons. He has led his Scotlandville team to two state championships in the last three seasons. Last season, he averaged 25.1 points per game, 8.7 rebounds per game, 6.4 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game.

With Smart's commitment, first-year Tigers coach Will Wade's recruiting class is ranked No. 15 nationally. 

Oral commitments are not binding.