From: Auburn
Age: 19
Measurables: 6-10, 220 pounds
Key 2021-22 stats: 16.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.0 bpg, 42.0 three-point percentage, 79.9 FT percentage
NBA.com consensus mock draft position: 1 (June 6 update; previously was 2 behind Chet Holmgren)
OVERVIEW
The son of a former LSU standout and four-year NBA veteran, the younger Smith possesses similar size to his father (who was listed at 6-11, 250), as well as a highly-skilled game that vaulted him to the top of draft boards. As Josh Cohen of OrlandoMagic.com wrote recently of a player in consideration for the No. 1 pick, “(Smith) has arguably the best long-distance shooting mechanics and touch for someone 6-foot-10 or taller ever coming into the draft. He drilled 79 threes, 10th-most in a single season in school history.” Making the case that Smith could be a potential force at both ends of the court, NBA.com wrote that he “has the size and length and picture-perfect shot to become an elite scorer and the versatility on defense to become a two-way star.”
DRAFT RANGE
Nearly every analyst projects Smith to be picked first or second. ESPN.com made the case that Smith could go to Orlando at No. 1 based at least partly on the Magic being “loaded with young talent on the perimeter and could very well look to the frontcourt, where much of this draft’s high-end talent is concentrated… (Smith is) also a highly versatile defender who plays with outstanding intensity, switching all over the floor with quick feet and impressive energy, giving the Magic the ability to play in a variety of lineup configurations with their many existing pieces.”
PRO PLAYER COMPARISONS
Jabari Smith, Auburn
Harrison Barnes, Chris Bosh, Jaren Jackson Jr. or Michael Porter Jr.?
Apparently there are many quality comps for Smith, because the Twitter vote among these four options was very close, with fans casting 33 percent of ballots for Bosh, followed by Porter at 28 percent. Barnes received the fewest votes among the options at just 17 percent, but a draft scout from another NBA team believes the current Sacramento Kings forward is the most fitting analogy for Smith.
Scout’s take: “Similar to Barnes, Jabari is a high-level shooter with elite size. Defensively, Jabari is more hype and hope than actual productivity at this point, but given his body type and physical tools, it is easy to see him becoming a good defender. Like Barnes, he will be more effective guarding 4s rather than 3s at the next level.”
Other Auburn prospects
Walker Kessler, Auburn
Jarrett Allen, Jakob Poeltl or Myles Turner?
Scout’s take: “Most similar to Poeltl, although Jakob was better offensively coming out, especially from a passing standpoint. Both are very good shot-blockers and are more mobile than they might initially appear. Kessler, like Poeltl, was an elite shot-blocker at the college level.”