NBA Future Watch: Jabari Smith Jr Basketball Cards Draft, Prospect – Jabari Smith Jr., arguably the best pure shooter in the 2022 NBA Draft, came into this world with basketball in his blood, with his father and his cousin (Kwame Brown) having played in the Association. With his lineage, Smith didn’t sneak up on anyone in his youth, dominating in the Atlanta area with more than 24 PPG and 10 RPG in his final two high school seasons, with a trip to the state championship game also in the mix.
Appearances at the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit – along with his play for the Atlanta Celtics on the AAU circuit and designations as both Naismith First Team All-American and Sports Illustrated All-American – solidified Smith’s status as a five-star prospect. Smith also came into college with the pedigree of a gold medal winner for Team USA at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship.
The highest-ranked player to attend Auburn in the modern era, Smith came up big in early on with 22 points and six rebounds against UConn on November 24, 2021 – with an even bigger 23-and-12 effort against Oklahoma on January 29, 2022. Smith put up many of the best efforts ever seen in a Tiger uniform while maintaining a high, consistent level across his freshman season, ending up with 16.9 PPG behind .420 3% and .799 FT%. With 7.4 RPG, this combo forward demonstrated proficiency in some of the grittier areas of the game as well.
Winner of the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award, USBWA Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Year Award and NABC Division I Freshman of the Year Award, Smith declared for the draft as a consensus top three selection. Indeed, Houston tabbed him with the third pick as the brightest star yet to join their rebuilding effort.
What they have is a player often compared to Kevin Durant in terms of his scoring prowess as a near seven-footer with a wingspan that surpasses seven foot. At his size, and with his ability to get open, Smith has the capacity to will every shot to be an open shot. Athleticism and ball protection – with only 1.9 TPG – are big strengths as well as basketball IQ, motor and strong defense, including switchability to any position. Ball handling, the isolation game and playmaking will remain continued areas of focus for improvement. With an incredibly high floor and a ceiling to match, Smith has every chance to be remembered as the best player to enter the NBA in a strong draft class.
NBA Future Watch: Jabari Smith Jr Basketball Cards Draft Prospect – More Resources
NBA Future Watch: Jabari Smith Jr Basketball Cards Draft Prospect – Image Gallery
- Soccer Future Watch: Sadio Mané Soccer Cards, Al Nassr - April 24, 2024
- NBA Future Watch: Andre Jackson Jr. Basketball Cards, Milwaukee Bucks - April 22, 2024
- Racing Future Watch: Zane Smith Racing Cards, NASCAR - April 20, 2024