Pros and cons of Houston Rockets taking Jabari Smith of Auburn basketball in 2022 NBA draft
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The highest-rated recruit to ever wear an Auburn basketball uniform seemed to be within minutes from becoming the program's first No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick.
But the draft is rarely that simple, especially in a crowded class of top talent.
Forward Jabari Smith was selected by the Houston Rockets with the third pick of the draft Thursday night, still the highest-picked player in program history.
The 19-year-old from Sandy Creek, Georgia, was the No. 7 recruit in the 2021 class, and he excelled in his one season at Auburn. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 16.9 points in 28.8 minutes per game on 42% 3-point shooting.
Here is what the Rockets are getting in Smith.
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The positives
Combining size and shooting, there are few prospects entering the NBA already as polished as Smith. He's the best 3-point shooter at his height to be drafted in the last 20 years. His consistent, fluid form is a sign that his numbers last season weren't an anomaly.
In catch-and-shoot situations, he receives passes already in a shooting motion. Off the bounce (he prefers to go into his jump shot with one or two dribbles), he rises quickly to an unblockable release point. Auburn often fed him in the pinch post, where he squared up defenders and used one-dribble pull-ups, turnaround jumpers and physical rip-throughs to draw fouls.
Smith is a versatile defender. Auburn switched him on screens because he can guard all five positions. He's a high-energy on-ball and help defender.
Smith is regarded as one of the hardest workers and best teammates in this draft class. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl needed to empower him to be more aggressive at taking shots a few times, and Smith responded with a takeover game in several instances (Vanderbilt, Florida).
The concerns
Smith's dribbling needs a lot of work. For now, his lack of a tight handle is what holds him back from legitimate Kevin Durant comparisons. If he can develop more explosiveness and a better range of options attacking the rim, it would add a crucial dimension to his offensive game. Without that, he might have a limited toolbox that NBA-caliber defenders can figure out.
Smith only showed flashes as an interior defender and rim protector, as Auburn didn't need him in those roles as frequently with Walker Kessler in the paint. Smith did show he can rise and absorb contact in the lane. He averaged 7.4 rebounds despite often defending on the perimeter.
Final thoughts
Smith's build, shooting and defense make him the safest of the top three prospects in this draft, and he has room to develop into a perennial all-star. He's skilled, smart and intensely competitive.
The Rockets are getting one of the most driven and mature players available in the NBA Draft, and to get him third is a steal considering he had No. 1 hype.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Houston Rockets pick Auburn’s Jabari Smith No. 3 in 2022 NBA Draft
