In his second career G League game, 76ers assignment player Zhaire Smith on Monday posted 12 points (5-9 fg, 2-2 ft), two rebounds, and two assists in 19 minutes for the Blue Coats.
“Watching Zhaire’s return-to-play process has been great,” Johnson said. “It’s a real credit to the teamwork between our [Blue Coats] staff and the Sixers. [76ers Player Development Coach] Tyler Lashbrook has been working with him. [Tyler’s] been around our team a ton and [has been] in constant communication with [Blue Coats Assistant Coach] Kelly Peters, who has done an outstanding job with Zhaire here. We’ve been able to provide a consistent message and focus on his development, and it’s great to see him start to look more comfortable out there.”
Smith finished with a plus-11 rating in Delaware's 112-99 victory over the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. The Blue Coats return to action Friday on the road at the Capital City GoGo.