Jabari Smith Jr. selected in first round of 2022 NBA Draft
Jabari Smith has a new home. The Houston Rockets selected the Auburn standout at No. 3 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Welcome to H-Town, Jabari! 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/lE4tTt7hou
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 24, 2022
Smith enters the NBA with a little extra motivation. Widely projected to be the top overall pick, Smith heard the names of Duke’s Paolo Banchero and Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren called as the first 2 picks.
Jabari Smith Jr. reacting after Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren went No. 1 and 2 in the #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/HpkZJHEwRd
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 24, 2022
Smith is the highest-drafted player in Auburn history. He had already made program history with 6 All-America nods.
The Fayetteville, Georgia native received multiple national freshman of the year honors. Starting all 34 games, Smith averaged 16.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest, shooting 42.9% over 28.9 minutes.