American · Sugar Hill, Georgia · Born 13 May 2003Highly touted young power forward whose length, shooting and defensive ceiling have made him a cornerstone of the Houston Rockets' rebuild.
Jabari Montsho Smith Jr. was born on 13 May 2003 in Fayetteville, Georgia, to Jabari Smith Sr., a former professional basketball player who mentored his son in the sport from a young age. He attended Sandy Creek High School, where his team reached a state championship appearance, and was named a McDonald's All-American and Mr. Georgia Basketball before committing to Auburn University. Smith spent one season at Auburn, earning SEC Freshman of the Year and NABC Freshman of the Year honours in 2022 while being named a consensus second-team All-American, showcasing a rare combination of size, perimeter shooting touch, and shot-blocking ability for a player of his height. The Houston Rockets selected Smith third overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, and he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team after his debut season, developing into a key member of one of the league's most promising young cores as the Rockets built toward playoff contention. Smith has continued to refine his game as one of Houston's foundational young pieces, renowned for his combination of stretch-four shooting range and rim protection that made him one of the most sought-after prospects of his draft class.
Elite defensive versatility and three-point shooting as a power forward
Considered one of the best defensive prospects in years coming out of Auburn, his combination of length, shot-blocking and three-point shooting range at 6ft 10in gave him one of the highest ceilings of the 2022 Draft class.
Did You Know?How They Played
Modern stretch-4 with elite shot-blocking and perimeter shooting
Lasting Impact
Promising young cornerstone building block for Houston Rockets rebuild
Career Honours
- Houston Rockets franchise cornerstone
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Rockets | 2022–present | 164 | #5 |
American Athletes