A-State Men’s Basketball Signs Royal Smith

Royal Bue 2JONESBORO, Ark. (5/7/25) – Arkansas State men's basketball head coach Ryan Pannone announced Wednesday the signing of high school standout Royal Smith to the 2025-26 roster.

Originally hailing from Parkland, Fla., Smith joins the program from Gillion Academy in Virginia, where the combo guard has shined both at the prep and AAU level.

"Royal is a 6-4 freshman guard from the Gillian Academy, who is shifty, can break the paint and finish at the rim at a really high level," Pannone said. "He is a good-handle, athletic guard who can shoot and make players around him better. He's got the ability to play on the ball and off the ball. He's a very talented passer, sees the court well and…