Is Jabari Smith the number one pick in the 2022 NBA draft?
Some analysts think that he deserves to be in the conversation.
ESPN‘s Mike Schmitz talked about Smith during the Auburn basketball game against Loyola Chicago. He had high praise for the freshman star.
“I think he’s in the conversation for the number one pick,” Schmitz said. “Now, I would still rank Chet Holmgren of Gonzaga, Paolo Banchero of Duke right ahead of him at one and two, I think Jabari has proven that deserves to be in the mix. When you go down the line and look at what he can offer, it’s really whatever NBA team is looking for in a franchise building block. He’s 6-foot-10, he moves incredibly well, great frame has long arms, he can switch every ball screen defensively, and offensively he’s an excellent shooter, he can handle the ball. He can score inside. He can score outside. And he’s a year younger than Holmgren.”
Joined the broadcast during Auburn-Loyola Chicago to talk Jabari Smith, who has made a strong argument that he deserves to at least be in the conversation for the No. 1 pick. Through 5 games: 15.2 PTS, 7.2 REBS, 1.6 AST, 1.8 STL, 1.0 BLK in 29.1 MIN on 50% from 2 and 41% from 3. pic.twitter.com/85UymrgBdR
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) November 26, 2021
Through Smith’s first five games at Auburn he’s averaging 15.2 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 block per game in under 30 minutes of action per contest.
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