We are in the top 3 for JUCO guard, Josh Baker. Other two are Rutgers and Houston so tough competition. Baker is an elite shooter (48.6% on 220 career 3s, 85.6% on 153 career free throws).

Does anyone know what a preferred walk on is?

Walking on to the program, so no scholarship. Preferred because he was recruited and talked to the coaches ahead of time. “We want you on the team but don’t have a scholarship for you.”

Usually a sign of a good player that wants to play at a certain level or certain program, but isn’t quite good enough for the coach to give a scholarship. Happens more with football, “come play and maybe over the next couple years you’ll earn a scholarship”. Connections to the coach certainly help.

Hutson last year was a walk on, he was going to red shirt but with the rule change he was allowed to play. Walk on’s can be effective!

Agreed, although Hutty was pretty unique in that he had other D1 offers but really wanted to play at LUC. Baughman was also a PWO.

Knowing Smythe had an offer(?) from VMI, he’s probably somewhere between Baughman and Hutty on that spectrum

I think this is probably correct. I think what's most intriguing about Smythe is that he seems to have an A+ skill (shooting) but is likely deficient in other areas (strength, athleticism, whatever). I'd rather have that than a PWO is grades at a B/C-level across the board. Think it provides a real ceiling if we can utilize him correctly.

Some PWOs also qualify for academic scholarships that don't count toward sports scholarships.

A owl is guaranteed a roster spot

Ahead of his college announcement, Saint Thomas was named a second team All-American by MaxPreps:
https://www.maxpreps.com/news/JqGGvodAZUu8tgJp9U4hRA/2020-21-maxpreps-all-america-team--chet-holmgren-headlines-look-at-high-school-basketballs-best-and-most-talented-players.htm

Also was the MaxPreps Nebraska player of the year. Put up slightly better stats than his teammate who was also an All American selection and a Gonzaga commit