Tag: Jabari Smith Jr.

2022 NBA draft: Jabari Smith has highest odds of becoming No. 1 pick

Rookie Wire took a look at those prospects with the highest odds of becoming the No. 1 pick this year, according to @Tipico.

On Sunday, the first major deadline of the NBA pre-draft process arrived as the date marked the last opportunity that underclassmen could declare as early-entry candidates.

The top prospects all opted to enter the draft as the deadline offered little drama regarding their respective decisions. Some decided to hire an agent and forgo their remaining collegiate eligibility while others left the door open to return to school.

With the first step in the pre-draft process this year completed, Rookie Wire took a look at the prospects with the highest odds of becoming the No. 1 pick, according to the Tipico Sportsbook. The odds will certainly change before the draft on June 23 but here is how things stand now.

Potential No. 1 pick Jabari Smith Jr. declares for 2022 NBA draft

Smith, who was voted a consensus All-American, averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, two assists, 1.1 steals and one block this season.

Auburn Tigers forward Jabari Smith Jr. on Tuesday announced that he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft and forgo his remaining collegiate eligibility.

Smith, who was voted a consensus All-American, averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, two assists, 1.1 steals and one blocked shot on 42% shooting from 3-point range. He set the Auburn single-season freshman record for points (576) and 3-pointers (79).

He was also named the SEC Freshman of the Year.

The 6-foot-10 standout is in the conversation to become the No. 1 pick this year. He has impressed as a player who can create for himself and shoot from all over the court. He has also shown he can push the break on his own and projects to fit perfectly at the next level.

The decision to enter the NBA draft was likely a foregone conclusion for Smith. He established himself as one of the top players in the country and performed at a high level all season long and will be one of the first players off the board this year.

The 2022 NBA draft will take place on June 23.

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NCAA Tournament: Saint Peter’s lead top performances from opening weekend

With the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament complete, Rookie Wire took a look at several of the top performances from the first four days.

The first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament are in the books as the opening weekend provided plenty of high-level basketball performances from teams and players alike.

Of course, the top story from the first four days of action was the play of 15th-seeded Saint Peter’s from Jersey City. With two stunning upsets, they became just the third 15th seed to reach the Sweet 16, joining Florida Gulf Coast (2013) and Oral Roberts (2021).

The tournament also saw several outstanding performances by those players projected to be drafted in the NBA this year. The Big Dance can often help prospects put their names on the map and improve their draft stock, and that was once again the case this year.

With the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament complete, Rookie Wire took a look at several of the top performances by players and teams from the first four days of action.

Jabari Smith Jr. left everyone speechless following monstrous dunk

With Auburn on its way to a win in the NCAA Tournament, Smith took one final moment to remind everyone why he was named an All-American.

With Auburn well on its way to a first-round win over Jacksonville State in the NCAA Tournament, Jabari Smith Jr. took one final moment to remind everyone why he was named an All-American.

The SEC Freshman of the Year produced a team-high 20 points, 14 rebounds and four assists on Friday to lead the second-seeded Tigers to an 80-61 win over the No. 15 seed Gamecocks. Walker Kessler recorded 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine blocks to finish shy of a triple-double.

Smith had perhaps the play of the tournament with just over one minute remaining. The scene unfolded when Smith collected the offensive rebound off of his own missed 3-pointer. Smith dribbled around a few defenders and unleashed fury on Brandon Huffman.

The monstrous jam by Smith immediately sent the Tigers’ bench into a frenzy. Players on the sideline had incredible reactions to the dunk and were left in complete shock. To make matters even worse, Huffman was also whistled for a foul and Smith completed the and-1 opportunity.

The victory by Auburn was its 10th straight in the first round to improve to 18-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will face either seventh-seeded USC or 10th-seeded Miami (Florida) on Sunday for a chance to go to the Sweet 16.

Before that matchup, Tigers fans and basketball fans around the world will continue to talk about the dunk by Smith, who is a potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

Here are some of the best reactions on social media to the dunk.

Key Players in Auburn’s Unprecedented Success

Reviewing the top player’s performances for Auburn during their run to the regular-season crown.

The Auburn basketball team has had several good years of hoops over the years.

The 2018-19 team made a run to the final four. The following year the Tigers made an appearance in the elite eight. It is pretty remarkable to see how much head coach Bruce Pearl has changed the atmosphere in hoops over the years on the Plains.

His success comes with the ability to recruit some of the best players in the country. By doing so, he has made the Auburn basketball program more notable as of late.

This season, the Tigers will be the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament and could potentially carry that seeding over to the NCAA Tournament if their success continues. Several players have been instrumental to the Tigers’ success this season, and I find it necessary to point out some of the key contributors for the Tigers this season.

A group of highly-regarded transfers, role players, and very successful freshmen highlight the success of the Tigers in the 2022 season.