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.
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. His production increased the following season, highlighted by a career-high 40-point performance in an 81–76 victory over New Haven. 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. Following the conclusion of the season, he entered the transfer portal.
On April 16, 2026, Smith announced his decision to transfer to Rutgers University–New Brunswick to play for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Career statistics
College
| style="text-align:left;"| 2024–25 | style="text-align:left;"| Central Connecticut || 31 || 1 || 18.0 || .517 || .463 || .750 || 3.0 || .4 || .5 || .2 || 6.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2025–26 | style="text-align:left;"| Central Connecticut || 30 || 30 || 32.6 || .456 || .376 || .898 || 5.4 || 1.2 || .7 || .2 || 20.7
References
External links Central Connecticut Blue Devils bio Rutgers Scarlet Knights bio