Smith, Zhaire

Texas Tech

6'5"

195

SG

frosh

When a school like Texas Tech is suddenly basketball relevant there is a good chance someone special  joined their team. That someone was Zhaire Smith. He is an exciting athlete that dazzles with his array of dunks and his overall basketball playing ability. Smith finished seventh in the entire NCAA in box score plus/minus this season. He averaged 11.3 points, and 5 rebounds per game. He doesn't shoot a high volume of threes but he connected on 45% (18 of 40). He shot 71% FT.  His assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.59-to-1, which is excellent for a TWO-guard. ...Smith is pretty limited offensively at this stage of his development. He doesn't make plays consistently with a live dribble. He scores the way a BIG scores, mostly on cuts, put-backs, and in transition. Defensively, Smith has the ability to guard 1's, 2's, and 3's. He has tremendous instincts for steals and blocking shots.  ...Because of the athleticism, and success he had as a freshman, there is enough potential in Smith for him to be a first round pick.

 

Good Advice: In 2015, the 14th pick in the NBA Draft was Cameron Payne. We advised, "Draft Bobby Portis."

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