Draft Workouts - J.R. Smith

Full Name: Earl Smith III Position: Guard Height/Weight: 6-6 / 220 Birthdate: ovember 9, 1985 (Freehold, N.J.) High School: t. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.) J.R.'s Prospect Profile

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J.R. Smith gets set for an agility drill.

With the 2004 NBA Draft rapidly approaching and the Celtics holding three first round picks, Celtics.com will be bringing exclusive behind the scenes info from draft workouts held at The Sports Authority Training Center in Waltham.

J.R. Smith is a 6-5, 210 pound high school senior from St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey. Before declaring for the NBA Draft Smith originally planned on continuing his basketball career at the University of North Carolina. He's known for his amazing athletic ability, but at the same time has range out to the NBA three.

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Celtics.com: Was this your first workout?

J.R. Smith: This is my first pro workout.

Celtics.com: How do you think the workout went?

Smith: It went well. I shot the ball pretty good. Just getting a feel for playing more competitive with the guys.

Celtics.com: Do you think you're ready for the challenge of jumping straight from high school to the NBA?

Smith: I think I'm ready for the challenge. I know it's going to be hard at first, but it's just like playing high school or college. You adjust, but I probably won't adjust as quick, but I'm a quick learner.

Celtics.com: You kind of went under the radar this season then burst onto the scene after winning MVP in the McDonalds All-American Game. Were you thinking NBA all year, or just after the McDonalds game?

Smith: I was definitely thinking college at first. After the (All-Star) games it started creeping in the back of my mind a little bit, and then I talked to my coaches and a few coaches started getting feedback from pro scouts that thought I should come out. So, I decided to come out.

Celtics.com: Do you think coming to a team like the Celtics that has Kendrick Perkins, another high school to NBA player, would help your adjustment?

Smith: It would probably help me because I would go through what they went through and they could probably help me out with what's going to happen and what could happen. So, that would definitely be a positive.

Compiled By: Brian Gleason