ESPN expert Jonathan Givony explains why Jabari Smith has ‘highest floor’ in 2022 NBA Draft class
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Jabari Smith Jr. burst onto the scene at Auburn this past season, quickly showing why he was one of the top-rated players in the 2021 recruiting class.
Now, ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft in Brooklyn on Thursday night, Smith is the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Orlando Magic.
What makes Smith such an enticing No. 1 pick? ESPN’s Jonathan Givony explains that Smith’s shooting ability gives him the “highest floor” of any player in the class:
Jabari Smith is the most dynamic shooter in the draft, converting 42% of his 3s at 6'10. Running off screens, pulling up in transition, making iso step-backs — no shot is too difficult, giving him the highest floor in the class and making him an easy fit on any roster. pic.twitter.com/32Zhal3UdY
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 23, 2022
Of course, Smith will need to reach his ceiling, not his floor, if he’s going to live up to comparisons to Kevin Durant.
But, one thing is for sure — Smith’s shot is NBA-ready, and he’ll be able to score plenty of points wherever he ends up.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
