Editor’s note: This story was originally published prior to the NBA Draft and has been updated.
Although Nick Smith Jr.’s productivity on the basketball court was limited, the 19-year-old Arkansas star who was once the top high school player in the country is ready for the NBA.
Since his days as a one-and-done at Arkansas ended, he’s ramped up the intensity.
“The pre-draft process has been one of the best offseasons I’ve had in a long time,” Smith recently told For The Win. “I’m just working on my game each and every day and getting my body prepared for an 82-game season.”
Smith was a McDonald’s All-American who participated in the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit in 2022. After playing one season of college basketball at Arkansas, he is a projected lottery pick in Thursday’s 2023 NBA Draft.
Here are four things to know about Smith before the draft.
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