Jabari Smith praised in new draft analysis

NBA teams will be faced with a tough decision when the NBA draft rolls around in late June.

A new draft analysis by CBSSports’ Matt Norlander and Kyle Boone has made a case for all three of the NBA draft’s potential No, 1 picks — Auburn’s Jabari Smith, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero — to be selected first overall on June 23.

The analysis was particularly kind to Smith, who at the moment is the current favorite to be selected with the first overall pick. There were fair criticisms levied — The article mentions that lmost all of Smith’s points come from catch-and-shoot plays — but the analysis had praise for Smith’s shooting accuracy and his ability to stand out on the defensive side of the game as well.

Here is what the article had to say about Smith’s shot at the No. 1 pick:

Depending on how Oklahoma City and Houston rate Jaden Ivey, there are scenarios in which Holmgren or Banchero could be drafted as high as No. 1 or wait until No. 4. With Smith, he’s not falling below third. His window to be selected is the smallest of any prospect in the class, and as of this publishing, he’s perceived as the most likely guy to be first off the board.

Of course, the analysis had good things to say about Holmgren and Banchero, too. The article praised Holmgren’s incredibly high ceiling while raising some concerns about his floor and mentioned Banchero’s stellar offensive play while questioning his defensive prowess.

Smith will get his chance to become a No. 1 pick for Auburn on June 23 at 5:30 p.m. CT.