Camila Sosa
As the highest rated player to enter the Auburn University basketball program in history, Jabari Smith Jr. has already completed his cycle with just one year in a Tigers uniform. Managing to lead the team to its first-ever number one seed in March Madness in addition to winning the regular season title in the NCAA Southeastern conference, the 18-year-old power forward announced his intention to enter the NBA draft in 2022.
As he made his decision known through his social networks, Smith Jr. prepared an announcement describing his experience at Auburn and thanking all of his loved ones for being part of his journey to his dream of making it to the NBA.
Auburn will forever be my home and will be a place that is going to be a part of me forever. The long hours in the gym and the weight room have given me this opportunity and the chance to chase my dream of playing in the NBA. But none of this would have ever been possible without the love and the sacrifices that were made by my dad and my mom. They molded me into the man and person I am today, and I’ll never be able to thank them enough.”
The motivation and the work ethic that I posses does not come easily. It came from being pushed by my older brother AJ and him telling me to stay in the gym and put in extra work and to never let anyone outwork me. I came into this season wanting to make history and give this school the recognition it deserves in basketball, and Auburn did that. I also want to give a special thanks to the best coaching staff and best support staff in the country. You all have made this year one I will never forget.
Jabari Smith Jr. in his announcement of his entry into the NBA draft and farewell to Auburn University.
Jabari Smith Jr.’s Numbers and Achievements in the NCAA
After averaging 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.1 steals and a block in 28.8 minutes through 34 games in his freshman year with the Tigers, the 6-foot-8 inside guard is projected to be one of the top three overall selections in the 2022 NBA draft. He was also the Tigers’ leading and most efficient three-point scorer, averaging 2.3 three-pointers per game at 42% efficiency.
Along with center Walker Kessler (who will also enter the NBA draft this year), they formed one of the most relentless duos in all of college basketball. In terms of accolades, Jabari received a selection to the All-American team, and was also selected to the All-SEC team, as well as being named Freshman of the Year.
During March Madness, Auburn advanced to the second round, where they were upset by the Miami Hurricanes, the 10th seed in the region, by a score of 79-61. In the game, Smith amassed 1 point, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in what was one of his most inefficient nights from the field, scoring just three of his 16 attempts.
However, this did not affect their draft projections at all, and along with center Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga University), intern Paolo Banchero (Duke University) and shooting guard Jaden Ivey (Purdue University) are expected to define the first four selections of the 2022 draft.
