Former Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. is set to enter his third season in the NBA following a very successful one-year stint on the Plains with Auburn. The former third overall pick in the NBA draft has been solid to start his NBA career, but has yet to take the step into stardom that members of his draft class such as Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams have.
With the 21-year-old entering his first year of contract extension eligibility after this season, former NBA guard turned NBA TV analyst Dennis Scott offered some words of encouragement to the former Tiger ahead of the Rockets preseason game this week. Speaking candidly, Scott told the former Tiger, “I know you’ve put in the work. I know you love this game… Now it’s time for you to take your game to the next level, earn that big bag that’s sitting there waiting for you, and then be that cornerstone for the future for the Rockets.”
Scott finished his NBA career averaging 12.9 points per game and a near 40% shooting percentage from 3-point range. A seven-year veteran who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in the 1990-1991 season, Scott’s words likely carry a fair amount of weight on the mind of Smith Jr.
Now entering his third season in the Association, Smith Jr. will look to take another step forward after averaging 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds a season ago. While a leap to All-Star status is unlikely, Smith could earn himself a payday with a slight jump in both scoring and rebounding in year three. He and the Rockets will open the regular season on October 23 against the Charlotte Hornets.
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