As a five-star recruit out of Sandy Creek High School, Jabari Smith was always in the limelight since he got to high school. Smith was originally viewed as the 7th best player in the country (ESPN), however, after his reign of dominance at Auburn, he was soon revered by struggling franchises as their future.
Jabari Smith 2022 NBA Draft Profile
College Career
The second Smith got to Auburn he dominated. He was a hot commodity on draft boards before the season as he was widely viewed as a top ten pick by media outlets. He never fell to the outside pressure as on the year he averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and two assists per game. Smith was the leading scorer on an Auburn team that was consistently within the top three in the AP polls and finished as regular-season SEC champions. Although they suffered a brutal loss to 10 seed Miami in the second round of March Madness, the season Auburn and Smith had should not go unaccounted for.
Smith’s success was recognized by all as he finished as National Freshman of the Year over other draft headliners. He was also voted as a National All-American. Smith essentially got to college and dominated and he is reaping the rewards.
Strengths
Smith’s pure touch is fantastic. At 6’11″, Smith hits many shots that make you wonder if he is even real. He would make about three 3-pointers per game as he shot 42% from beyond the arc. With his massive size, Smith possesses the ability to shoot over anybody on the floor as many perimeter guys don’t have the size to contend with Smith. In a space-heavy NBA, Smith will be able to get his shot off a lot easier which makes him even more valuable of a prospect.
Smith is also one of the best post players in the draft as well. He has a wide variety of moves and he is able to use them effectively due to his silky smooth touch. His footwork is sound as he looks very comfortable spinning off defenders and getting to his fadeaway.
Clips
In the clip above, Smith gets the ball and gets right to work, and finishes the shot right over the defender’s head. The defender did everything he could on him but at the end of the day, Smith is simply just too dominant for the defender to affect the shot.
Smith is also fiercely athletic which makes him such a great defender. He can guard all five positions due to his length and pure athleticism which makes him so valuable in today’s NBA. Smith also plays with such a high motor as it feels like he doesn’t stop moving on defense. He is able to stick with guys far smaller and bigger which shows how versatile of a defender he is.
This clip shows how versatile Smith really is. He is able to stick with star Alabama guard Jaden Shackelford all throughout the perimeter. Whether Shackelford goes left, right, or to the lane, Smith stays right with him and in the end forces a turnover.
Weaknesses
The biggest drawback of Smith’s game is his inability to create for his teammates. NBA stars today are supposed to be able to not only score but to create for the teammates around them. Smith is likely a top-three pick. He is going to be the head of the franchise no matter where he goes, so his inability to really create for his teammates will be an issue at the beginning.
This is a fixable issue for Smith. Smith is almost seven feet tall and has shown flashes of passing ability in the past. Once Smith gets NBA reps and gets a real feel for what NBA basketball really is, he will be just fine creating in the fast-paced NBA.
Smith’s shot selection within the three-point line is very poor. Smith was a 43% shooter from two-point range this year which is abysmal. That low of a percentage hasn’t been done by a single top 10 pick in the last 10 years.
There are two reasons for this stat. Number one, he was required to take many bad shots being Auburn’s main center point on offense which in turn caused his percentages to be so low. Number 2, the level of spacing in college basketball makes it very hard for skillful guys like Smith to really produce from two-point range. The paint is typically very clogged up.
His percentage is bound to increase in the NBA due to the space clearing up making it easier for Smith to get his shot off.
NBA Comparison for Jabari Smith
Lengthier Michael Porter Jr, Kevin Durant lite.
The term “the next Durant” is dropped around way too frequently. However, Smith has the capability to really become the next lengthy dominant forward. For a more realistic comparison, look at Porter Jr. The skill and fluidity are similar.
Porter Jr, however, is not as nifty as a scorer as Smith is which opens the Durant comparison. Watching Smith put basket after basket over defenders’ heads is reminiscent of watching Durant. He is able to simply dominate with his advanced skill set. Perhaps his success won’t amount to that of Durant, but the talent is there.
NBA Draft Projection
Smith is the best player in the draft and should go number one to the Orlando Magic.
However, between Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren, there are many dominant forwards.
Another great fit for Smith would be at three to the Houston Rockets. Jalen Green is simply an electric basketball player to watch. Matching him with a stud frontcourt option like Smith makes the sky the limit in Houston.
