Jabari Smith likely will spend only one season on the Plains, but his impact on the Auburn Tigers basketball program already is significant.
The 6-foot-10 forward helped propel the Tigers (21-1, 9-0 SEC) to the No. 1 ranking in the nation. He was just named a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, which is presented by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to the top collegiate power forward each season. He also might very well become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
As Smith’s star rises, Mirin Fader has written an excellent profile of the Auburn star for The Ringer. The feature details his youth in Fayetteville, Georgia, and his drive and motivation to be great at basketball. What especially stands out in the article is Smith’s desire to be excellent and his willingness to put in the work to get there.
“I feel like it’s my duty to work while the camera’s on me, while the camera’s not on me,” Smith told Fader. “And just always keep working. … I just want to be the best,” Jabari says. “I don’t wanna be better necessarily than anybody, or nothing like that, because I don’t know if that’s what God has planned for me, but I just want to maximize me.”
Enjoy Smith’s brilliance on the court while you can, Auburn fans.
The Tigers’ next game is at noon CST Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Georgia. It will be televised on SEC Network.