Jabari Smith, a top prospect of the 2022 NBA Draft Class, revealed the players he watches in the league and tries stealing their moves.
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Much like every year, this year too, the Draft Class is filled with numerous talented youngsters, who wish to build a legacy. This class features top prospects like Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, Jabari Smith, and even some son of NBA legends – Shareef O’Neal and Scotty Pippen Jr.
Auburn Tigers’ Jabari Smith is one of the players who is expected to be a top 3 pick on Thursday night. The 6-foot-10 lengthy forward has the potential of becoming one of the most elite two-way prodigies in the league, and with his ability of knocking down shots at a high efficiency, Smith Jr. has all the tools to make an immediate positive impact on whatever team he lands with.
Averaging a staggering 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1 block per game, on an incredible 42.9/42/79.9 shooting split in his lone season with the Tigers, Jabari seems to be one of the most NBA-ready athletes of all his other fellow prospects.
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“Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo”: Jabari Smith on his player comparison
During the draft combine, a few prospects were asked to give their own NBA player comparisons. There were a few youngsters who gave pretty modest answers – Jaylin Williams (Al Horford), Jeremy Sochan (Draymond Green), E.J. Liddell (Grant Williams), and Collin Gillespie (Payton Pritchard), among a few others.
Jabari’s answer… well, the players he named were some of the best players in the league. The 19-year-old named All-Stars Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Smith stated:
“I’d like to see my game evolve into like Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Giannis. Those are guys I kinda like watch and try to steal stuff from.”
Well, you need to aim big to achieve big!
According to Shams Charania, Jabari is a “top two lock”. Definitely, either of the two – the Orlando Magic or the Oklahoma City Thunder – will hugely benefit having this determined talent on their roster.
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