FAYETTEVILLE — A nightmare scenario emerged for Arkansas basketball out of its preseason exhibition against Gonzaga.
With 13:19 remaining, freshman Jordan Smith Jr. fell to the ground after getting tripped by a Gonzaga player. Smith could not get to his feet without some help, and he needed further assistance to make it down the tunnel and into the Razorbacks' locker room.
However, Smith was able to return to the Arkansas bench a few minutes later with a small limp as he came onto the floor. He re-entered the game with 5:53 remaining.
Smith was one of the highest-rated recruits in the most recent high school class. He is a consensus top-five pick in preseason NBA Draft projections.
The Washington D.C. native was having a difficult debut inside Bud Walton Arena prior to the injury. He had zero points and was 0-for-7 from the field with just two rebounds and two assists. He also had two turnovers.
It seems like Smith won't have to miss any time as he was able to return, and John Calipari has assembled adequate depth on this year's roster. Davion Thompson is the backup point guard, while Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson and junior Billy Richmond III can also play the position.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas freshman Jordan Smith Jr. returns to Gonzaga exhibition after injury