Men's Basketball Signs Jaylen Smith
5/5/2026 1:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Smith is the reigning SoCon Sixth Man of the Year and a former ASUN All-Freshman team member
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Men's Basketball will bring experience into the back court next season, officially announcing the signing of Jaylen Smith this afternoon. The reigning SoCon Sixth Man of the Year, Smith was also an ASUN All-Freshman team honoree in 2023-24.
"I chose Kansas City because Coach Turgeon is a winner and has a great history with guards,"Smith said. "I enjoy the city and believe this season will be special."
Smith spent the 2025-26 campaign at East Tennessee State, playing a large role in the Bucs' SoCon regular season conference title. He averaged 9.1 points per game and reached double figures in 16 contests, including a career-high 28-point night in a win over Central Arkansas on Nov. 29. Smith played 24.5 minutes per game off the bench and averaged a team-leading 2.9 assists per contest, finishing the season as the conference Sixth Man of the Year.
Prior to his time at ETSU, Smith spent two seasons at North Florida. He started in all 32 games for the Ospreys in 2024-25, averaging 11.4 points and an ASUN-leading 5.7 assists per game. He shot at a 41.4% clip from the floor, adding 34.6% shooting from long range on 1.9 three-point makes per game. He went for a pair of double-doubles on the year, tallying double figure scoring in 20 games and double figure assists four times.
His freshman campaign saw him come on towards the end of the season, starting in each of UNF's final 16 games. He averaged 6.5 points and 2.4 assists per game on the season, going for 10-plus points seven times. He finished the year by nabbing a spot on the ASUN All-Freshman Team.
Smith played his prep career between West Oaks Academy, Windermere Prep and Edgewater HS, winning district championships at both stop Windermere and Edgewater. He was twice named the FACA District 11 6A Player of the Year, once going for 46 points with 12 three-point makes for Edgewater.
Smith was born on June 11, 2005 to parents Carmen Johnson and Jerry Smith. He has five siblings: Jade, Jaida, Juelz, Justin and Sebastian.
