Drafted 3rd overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jabari Smith Jr out of Auburn University may be the most “safe” player out of his class. The 6’11” forward made his mark on the SEC as a disruptive defender and a knockdown shooter. On an Auburn team with fellow draftee Walker Kessler, Jabari led Auburn to one of their better seasons of recent. Now, on a young energetic Rockets team with guards Kevin Porter Jr and Jalen Green, Jabari will have plenty of on-ball reps to improve offensively and reach the star potential that made him the 3rd overall pick. At the very least, he has a route to become one of the elite shooters in the NBA.

Offense

While Jabari does convert at the rim at a decent rate, he lacks the on-ball skills and strength to really excel at the rim. More of a straight-line driver, Jabari CAN attack closeouts, but is often better suited simply shooting over the defender. Jabari shot 42.2% from 3 last season, a number many believe he will be able to match at the NBA level given his quick, high release. A below average passer and ball-handler, Jabari will see the majority of his touches coming in cuts, catch and shoot opportunities, and offensive rebounds. Smith shows flashes of being able to become an elite post player as well. His high release and long strides allow him to create space, and with a soft touch, drop in many post fadeaways. With some additional skill development, Jabari can become a great second option for the newly built Rockets next to budding superstar Jalen Green.

Defense

What makes Jabari stand out compared to other big sharpshooters is his defensive versatility. Jabari’s long frame and defensive instincts make him an incredible shot blocker, but his quick feet and smooth lateral movement help him keep up with smaller players. Jabari’s low and wide stance on defense allows him to switch onto guards, and his quick load time and high vertical allow him to contest almost any look. In Houston, his role on defense will, much of the time, likely be similar to that of a small ball 5. On a small Houston team, Jabari will be tested early against bigger centers, something he did not need to do much at Auburn. However, Jabari is still very skinny for his size, and with NBA strength training could bulk up to be able to guard stronger players well.

Conclusion

Jabari Smith will find plenty of opportunity early in his career to improve on his weak points offensively, and next to two electric scoring guards, Smith should have many open looks to showcase his marksmanship. While he has some obvious spots for improvement to reach his ceiling, at his worst Jabari will still be an impactful player on both ends of the court, with consistent effort on defense and spreading the floor offensively.

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