Brooklyn, NY – The top-ranked auburn-dressed recruit appears to be minutes away from becoming the program’s first NBA #1 overall pick.
But drafting is rarely that simple, especially in a crowded category of top talent.
Auburn forward Jabari Smith was named by the Houston Rockets with the third pick from the draft Thursday night, becoming the most-chosen player in Auburn basketball history.
The 19-year-old from Sandy Creek, Georgia, in the Atlanta area was the No. 7 recruit in the 2021 class, and he excelled in his only season in Auburn. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 16.9 points in 28.8 minutes per game on 42% of 3-point shots.
That’s what rockets get at Smith.
Positives
Combining size and shooting, there is very little precedent for possibly entering the NBA like Smith. It’s the best 3-point shooter in its heyday that has been crafted in the last 20 years. His consistent and flexible form is a sign that his numbers last season were not out of place.
In cases of capture and shooting, he receives passes in a shooting motion already. Away from the bounce (his jump shot is preferred with one or two dribbles), he quickly rises to an unlockable release point. Auburn often fed him into the center disc, collecting defenders and using one-off draw passes, spinning jumps, and body rips to make fouls.
Smith is a versatile defender. Auburn has played it on screens because he can protect all five positions. He is a player with high energy and helps the defender.
Smith is considered one of the toughest workers and best colleagues in this recruiting category. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl needed to enable him to be more aggressive in taking shots multiple times (for better or worse). Smith responded well to this and offered Gene the acquisition in several games (Vanderbilt, FL).
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Competitive leadership:Jabbari Smith and the Shark: The Moments That Made Auburn’s Basketball Season Special
Fears
Smith’s dribbling takes a lot of work. For now, it’s his lack of a textured grip that holds him back from Kevin Durant’s more legitimate comparisons. If he can develop more blasts and a better range of edge attacking action, he will add a crucial dimension to his offensive game. Without it, he may have a limited toolkit that NBA-caliber defenders can discover.
Smith showed only limited flashes as an inside defender and rim guard given his height, although Auburn didn’t need him in those roles as frequently with Walker Kessler in the paint. Smith showed he could get up and soak up the connection in the aisle. He averaged 7.4 rebounds despite defending often on the perimeter.
last thoughts
Smith’s building, shooting, and defense make him the safest of the top three possibilities in this draft, and he has room to develop into a permanent star. He is skilled, intelligent and fiercely competitive.
The Rockets get to be one of the most mature and talented players available in the NBA Draft, and getting third place is a steal given that he had the #1 hype.