Darin Smith Jr. is an American college basketball player for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights of the Big Ten Conference. He previously played for the Central Connecticut Blue Devils.
Career
Smith attended Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vermont. Following his high school career, he committed to play college basketball at Central Connecticut State University.[1]
After redshirting during the 2023–24 season, Smith averaged 6.9 points and 2.0 rebounds per game and was named to the Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team.[2] His production increased the following season, highlighted by a career-high 40-point performance in an 81–76 victory over New Haven.[3] Smith finished the 2025-26 season averaging 20.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, being named the NEC Player of the Year.[4][5] Following the conclusion of the season, he entered the transfer portal.[6]
On April 16, 2026, Smith announced his decision to transfer to Rutgers University–New Brunswick to play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.[7][8]
Career statistics
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Central Connecticut | 31 | 1 | 18.0 | .517 | .463 | .750 | 3.0 | .4 | .5 | .2 | 6.8 |
| 2025–26 | Central Connecticut | 30 | 30 | 32.6 | .456 | .376 | .898 | 5.4 | 1.2 | .7 | .2 | 20.7 |
References
- ^ “Smith Jr Picks Central Connecticut State”. newenglandrecruitingreport.com. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ “Crowned In Blue: CCSU’s Jordan Jones is the NEC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year”. necsports.com. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Gullo, Rob (February 13, 2026). “CCSU’s Smith Jr. continues breakout season with career-high 40 piece against New Haven”. New Britain Herald. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Press, Herald (March 4, 2026). “CCSU’s Smith Jr. gives Blue Devils second-straight NEC Player of the Year”. The Bristol Press. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ “Reigning NEC Player of the Year among additions to Rutgers”. www.onnj.com. May 15, 2026. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Gullo, Rob (March 16, 2026). “NEC Player of the Year, CCSU star Smith Jr. enters transfer portal”. The Bristol Press. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Carino, Jerry. “Rutgers basketball adds Darin Smith, high-scoring transfer wing”. Asbury Park Press. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ^ Mertz, James (April 16, 2026). “Rutgers men’s basketball lands commitment from forward Darin Smith Jr”. The Daily Targum. Retrieved May 28, 2026.