Transfer Jaylen Smith Joins Kent State Men’s Basketball
4/22/2026 2:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT – Transfer guard Jaylen Smith has signed with Kent State Men's Basketball. The Ocoee, Florida native will join the Golden Flashes for the upcoming 2026-2027 season.
Smith comes to Kent State University from East Tennessee State University where he spent the 2025-2026 season. He appeared in 26 games making three starts averaging 24.9 minutes per game. Smith scored 220 points for the Buccaneers averaging 10.6 per game while racking up 63 rebounds, 76 assists, 31 steals, six blocks and 35 threes. He dropped a season high 28 points on Nov. 29 vs. Central Arkansas. Smith's performance earned him Southern Conference Sixth Man of the Year Honors.
Prior to ETSU, Smith spent his 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 season at the University of North Florida. During his sophomore season he averaged 11.4 points per game, 2.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.3 steals. Smith led the ASUN in both assists per game and total assists (181), ranking 31st and 29th in Division I in those categories, respectively. His 181 assists were sixth most in a season at UNF, and he ranks sixth in career assists for the Ospreys as well with 259 in just two seasons. Smith was an ASUN All-Freshman pick in 2023-24, averaging 6.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while starting 16 games for the Ospreys in his first year. Before college, Smith was a district champion at both Windermere Prep and Edgewater HS.
"I am really excited about adding Jaylen to our program.", said Coach Senderoff. "He is a proven point guard coming from a winning program. Jaylen has shown the ability to lead with his passing ability, his scoring and his defensive toughness. I can't wait for him to join us this upcoming year!"
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