Five on top for Smith

Rivals150 prospect Darius Smith was on the verge of signing with Minnesota during the early signing period but at the last minute backed off. Now Smith, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound point guard from Chicago Marshall High School, is a priority recruit with a top five school list.

The day before Smith planned to sign with the Golden Gophers, point guard Justin Cobbs of California signed with Minnesota. Smith, who had officially visited Minnesota in September, didn't sign and Minnesota has since taken a commitment from another point guard.

There is still a long list of schools involved with Smith heading into the spring signing period, including Arizona, DePaul, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Marquette, Nebraska, Oregon State, Southern Illinois and UAB. Smith, however, named five schools that standout to him.

"The schools on top for me are Indiana, Kentucky, Marquette, DePaul and Arizona," said Smith. "All these schools have been to games this year, and I think they would all take a commitment from me."

In no rush to make a decision, Smith's plan is to figure out who he wants to visit by the end of the season and then take official visits.

Capable of both scoring and distributing the basketball, Smith has a plan of attack while on the court and also knows what type of style he'd like to play in college.

"I have confidence in my scoring and passing, but I like to get others the ball so they can score," he said. "That builds relationships with teammates on and off the court. It's easiest to do that in an up and down system, which is what I've played all my life. But I could adjust to slowing down if I need to."

Smith, who is the No. 113 ranked prospect in the Rivals150, is averaging 26 points, seven rebounds, six assists and six steals per game.