10 - Jabari Smith

6-10, 220 Power Forward
Auburn Freshman
Birthday
05/13/03 (20.9 yrs)
Hometown
Fayetteville, GA
High School
Sandy Creek
Team Site Profile
Athleticism
9
Size
9
Defense
9
Strength
7
Quickness
9
Leadership
8
Jump Shot
9
NBA Ready
8
Rebounding
7
Potential
9
Post Skills
7
Intangibles
9

NBA Comparison: Chris Bosh/Rashard Lewis

Strengths: Wiry 6’10 combo / stretch four with long arms that allow him to shoot over defenders and be effective at all three levels … Among the best pull-up jump shooters in the country, particularly from beyond the arc and just inside the arc. 44% three-point shooter on over 5 attempts per game through 17 games … Has the length and size to elevate above most defenders and knock down jumpers whenever he gets to his spot …. Active, relentless defender with disruptive wingspan and good lateral quickness … Shows solid instincts and anticipation and gets blocks and steals without gambling … Versatile defender … Can switch onto 1-5 as a solid on ball defender on the perimeter and also holds his own in the post … Shows good feel as a help defender as well … Averaging 1.5 steals per game and around a block per game … Plays with a high level of energy at all times … Intelligent decision maker … Really seems to have a solid understanding of the game and plays with a lot of poise and maturity for a freshman … Also gives a high level of consistency with his effort and focus … Quality free-throw shooter (80% FT) , which is encouraging for continued success as a shooter at all three levels … Long strides and a quick first step allows him to get by most similar sized defenders with ease and gets to the rim in a flash … Good cutter who finishes lobs and layups around the basket with high efficiency … Elite athlete who can ignite a crowd and offense with flashy, powerful dunks in transition … Protects the ball with only 1.8 turnovers per game despite high usage rate (27%) … Stays out of foul trouble even with his aggressive, energetic, physical defensive style … Well-rounded two-way forward with great size and length combined with high degree of potential … Has the versatility/mobility to play as a small forward in big lineups, but appears best suited for the 4 position with his ability to create mismatches and rebound … Ability to defend the perimeter at his size is an added dimension missing from the other top bigs at the top of this draft … Emerging as potentially the top prospect in the top-heavy 2022 class as perhaps the safest floor combined with an intriguing ceiling …

Weaknesses: Rebounding numbers could stand some improvement (6.2 per game), granted he’s playing away from the rim at times and has an elite bigman that he is sharing the front court with (Walker Kessler) … Added strength will allow him to play more physical around the rim … Average ball-handler who struggles to get to the basket on his own … If he can improve as an ISO guy it will open up his outside game further …. Decent passer but could improve in this department as well … Often settles for perimeter jumpers or lower percentage mid-range jumpers because of his reluctance/inability to get to the basket and create for others in the half-court offense … Still a small sample size offensively, but the physical traits are there to sustain efficient success with his jumper … Doesn’t create a ton of space for himself when he catches entry passes at the elbow. Usually settles for mid-range jumpers upon these entries … When he does drive, it is almost exclusively to his right as his drives to his left often end in turnaround jumpers … Needs to become a better ball-handler in order to improve upon these weaknesses …

Notes: Son of former NBA player Jabari Smith Sr. who attended LSU and was selected 45th overall in the second round of the 2000 draft by the Sacramento Kings and went on to a 10 year professional career … Ranked as the No. 4 player in the country in the class of 2021 by Rivals and No. 5 by 247Sports and ESPN coming out of high school … The highest rated recruit to ever commit to Auburn … Gold Medalist with Team USA Select at the 2019 FIBA Americas U16 Championships (Brazil) averaging 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game … … Averaged 23 PTS, 3 STL, 2.5 BLK as a senior in high school during a state runner-up finish … Cousin of Kwame Brown, a former number one overall pick out of Georgia …

Derek Bast 1/22/22

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