The Houston Rockets selected Jabari Smith Jr. with the 3rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, and he has slowly but surely become a key player for the team.
Bleacher Report reporter Grant Hughes called Smith the team’s “X-factor” for the upcoming season.
“Amen Thompson, rookie Reed Sheppard, Jalen Green and even Alperen Sengün could all make big strides this season, but Jabari Smith Jr. stands out as the young Rocket whose jumping potential would matter the most,” Hughes writes“Smith’s tantalizing shooting was a big reason the 2.08m forward was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft. Last season, Smith delivered on his shooting promise as a prospect, shooting 36.3 percent of his 5.0 attempts after shooting just 30.7 percent at a lower volume as a rookie. With confidence growing throughout the season, Smith has scored in double figures in 20 of his last 25 games.”
Smith Jr., 21, averaged 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last season with the Rockets, who also saw his efficiency improve. Smith Jr. shot 40.8 percent from the field to 45.4 percent from the field and his three-point average jumped from 30.7 percent to a respectable 36.3 percent.
If Smith continues to make these improvements, the Rockets will have a better chance of making the playoffs.
Want to join the discussion? Like Rockets on SI Facebook and Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the cover.
