Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. and Duke center Dereck Lively II are among the prospects to sign with the Klutch Sports Group ahead of the NBA draft, the agency announced on Wednesday.
Smith is projected to be a lottery pick after averaging 12.5 points, 1.7 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 17 games on 33.8% shooting from 3-point range. He has elite athleticism and is highly touted for his ability as a scorer and passer.
Lively is regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the draft and is considered a first-round pick. He averaged 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.1 assists on 65.8% shooting from the field. His 82 blocks were the second-most in a season by a freshman in program history.
Joining Smith and Lively at Klutch Sports Group are Kentucky forward Chris Livingston and Alabama forward Noah Clowney. Livingston isn’t projected to be drafted, but Clowney is a potential first-rounder this year.
Klutch Sports has emerged as perhaps the top agency in the NBA given its All-Star clientele, headlined by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Draymond Green.
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