2018 Draft Prospect: Zhaire Smith

[Drom John]

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SHb6xtm60d-fMwQ2z6HlUaPl8zw=/0x0:4243x3181/920x613/filters:focal(1776x731:2454x1409)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59205851/usa_today_10733860.0.jpg

Height: 6-5
Weight: 195 lbs
Date of Birth: 04/04/1999
Team: Texas Tech
Hometown: Garland, TX

Tankathon (http://www.tankathon.com/players/zhaire-smith)
NBADraft.net (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/zhaire-smith)
RealGM (https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Zhaire-Smith/Summary/121978)
The Stepien
(https://www.thestepien.com/zhaire-smith)
#18 San Antonio, Wayne Staats, Land of 10, posted 2 hours ago, AKA 26 April 2018

[Drom John]

NBADraft.net 4/12/18
#18 San Antonio

[BackHome]

Even if we trade Kawhi and get some higher picks I still like this kid.

[keithington1]

A moldable player. You worry about the handles and playmaking.

[MaNu4Tres]

Looove him.

Want him.

[BD24]

Another guard that can't shoot, yea thats just what we need......

[Uriel]

I would love him as a Danny Green replacement.

[AFBlue]

Looks like he's climbing up the mock draft boards. Probably a late lottery selection at this point.

[BackHome]

This draft class is really weak on good SG which is bad for us since that is one our weak links.

[Cklbmk]

I'd trade up for him

[Drom John]

cleveland.com: NBA Mock Draft 2018: Surveying Cavs' options after combine
Matt Goul, Posted June 07, 2018 at 06:05 AM


18. San Antonio: Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech

Height: 6-5

Position: Small forward

Age: 18

About the pick: If the Spurs don't offer Kawhi Leonard a five-year, $219 million extension this summer, it will likely be because they trade him on draft night and are not selecting in this spot. Until the future is sorted out, let's give the Spurs an athletic wing.

Potential starting five: PG Tony Parker/Patty Mills, SG Danny Green, SF Kawhi Leonard, PF Kyle Anderson, C LaMarcus Aldridge

Unrestricted free agents: Rudy Gay (player option), Tony Parker, Danny Green (player option), Joffrey Lauvergne (player option)

Restricted free agents: Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans, Bryn Forbes, Matt Costello, Darrun Hilliard

[Drom John]

schleggdaddytv: 2018 NBA MOCK DRAFT (June 5th Edition)


18. SA- Zaire Smith SG Texas Tech

YouTube, which I'd usually not bother reporting, but seems to have a following.

[Drom John]

Fansided: sport dfw: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: Complete First Round
Reid Hanson, 3 hours ago [AKA 7 June 2018]


Pick 18 Spurs: SF – Zhaire Smith

This is project pick. Smith has big potential but a team will need to invest time and energy. The patience should pay off because Smith is more athletically gifted that 80 percent of the players picked before him.

[Drom John]

The Ringer: NBA DRAFT GUIDE
with scouting reports by Kevin O'Connor
Mock Draft Updated 6.4


Spurs 18
ZHAIRE SMITH Small Forward, Texas Tech, Freshman

PTS 11.2 15.8 per 40
REB 4.9 6.9 per 40
AST 1.7 2.4 per 40
EFG% 58.5 277 FGA
STL 1.2 1.6 per 40
BLK 1.0 1.4 per 40
3PT% 45.0 40 3PA
FT% 71.7 127 FTA

Main Selling Point Athleticism and defense
Age18.9
Height/Weight6'4''/199
Wingspan6'9.75''
Standing Reach8'4''
A defensive wing whose explosiveness could hang with the Monstars in 'Space Jam.'
Shades Of: Shorter Andre Roberson, Danny Green, Norman Powell

[Drom John]

Land of 10: 2018 NBA mock draft: Projections for first round, top players, 2018 NBA Draft order (June 8, 2018)
Wayne Staats,


18 San Antonio Zhaire Smith Texas Tech SG Fr.

[Drom John]

Basketball Insiders: 2018 NBA Consensus Mock Draft – Ver 6.0
June 7, 2018

Moke Hamilton and Steve Kyler


18 Spurs Zhaire Smith
SG | Texas Tech

[AFBlue]

Smith seems to be firmly in the conversation from 12-20. I'd love to see the Spurs move up to get him...maybe the Clippers part with one of their lottery picks? A five-spot move shouldn't cost too much, right?

[look_at_g_shred]

Smith seems to be firmly in the conversation from 12-20. I'd love to see the Spurs move up to get him...maybe the Clippers part with one of their lottery picks? A five-spot move shouldn't cost too much, right?
Patty?

[Drom John]

CBSSports NBA: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: Bamba falls to Knicks, Sexton and Young battle for top PG in latest projection
Kyle Boone 1h ago [AKA 12 June 2018]


18 Spurs

Zhaire Smith | Texas Tech | Fr | SF

Zhaire Smith is a bit undersized as a small forward, but he plays well above what his 6-foot-4 frame may suggest. A thunderous dunker with athletic ability the size of Texas, Smith has the capability to develop into a productive 3-and-D wing in the league. Smith moves well without the ball and his playmaking, both as a passer and creator off the bounce, is promising. I don't see the Spurs letting him leave the state if he's still available at No. 18.

[Drom John]

nj.com: Latest NBA Mock Draft: Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic or Marvin Bagley No.1? Mikal Bridges in top 10? Full first round
Zack Rosenblatt, June 13, 2018


18. San Antonio Spurs: Zhaire Smith, G/F, Houston

Smith falling into the Spurs lap would be typical, as he has top-10 ability. He might be the best athlete in the draft, he just has a ways to go as a scorer and overall offensive player. He can be groomed into greatness by the Spurs.

[Drom John]

FanSided: FanSided Network 2018 NBA Mock Draft
by Staff 1 hour ago [AKA 13 June 2018]


At No. 18 overall, the San Antonio Spurs receive one of the draft’s most athletic players with intriguing upside at both ends of the court, Zhaire Smith, a guard from Texas Tech. It’s a fit that makes sense heading into the 2018 offseason.

Smith fills in depth at shooting guard, which will potentially be wiped out this offseason, with the unknown statuses of possible free agents, Danny Green and Bryn Forbes, and the looming retirement of Manu Ginobili. If all three depart, it leaves Derrick White, who spent most of the season in the G League, as the lone two guard.

The selection of Smith brings the aforementioned athletic upside to the table, making him an issue for opponents at both ends of the floor, particularly on defense. Add in a 6-foot-9.75 wingspan, a trait that gives him the length to play bigger, and it may make him an impact player on at least one part of the floor.

Smith’s offensive game is a work in progress, however. He did not showcase a consistent 3-point shot in college, something he likely will be asked to do in an outside-shooting league, especially at his shooting guard size. If he develops this with the Spurs, an organization that turned Kawhi Leonard from a questionable shooter into one of the best, then there’s hope they can do the same with the No. 18 overall pick.

Athleticism can’t be taught, but the Spurs can help Smith hone his offensive skills and make him into the next core piece of the team. It may take time but it’s a worthwhile pick for a team that needs the length to cover the Western Conference’s elite scorers.”

— Rob Wolkenbrod

[AFBlue]

Yes, please.

[Boomersgold]

The Ringer: NBA DRAFT GUIDE
with scouting reports by Kevin O'Connor
Shades Of: Shorter Andre Roberson, Danny Green

I don't know much about the kid but a shorter Andre Roberson? Is that what the Spurs really want?

[Drom John]

NESN: NBA Mock Draft 2018: First-Round Pick Predictions As Rumors Heat Up
by Nicholas Goss on Fri, Jun 15, 2018 at 8:00AM


18. San Antonio Spurs: Zhaire Smith, SF, Texas Tech

[Drom John]

SBNation: A Sea of Blue: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: A Sea Of Blue Edition
Justin Hodges, Jun 15, 2018, 7:55am EDT


18. San Antonio Spurs: Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech

Zhaire Smith is part of the sleight of intriguing wing prospects projected to be taken in the mid-late teens and early 20s. Smith is an outstanding athlete and leaper but has a legitimate jump shot as well.

With the great Spurs coaching there is little doubt that Zhaire could become a starter in San Antonio—especially considering they just pulled it off with Dejounte Murray who you could argue had less upside than Smith does now.

[AFBlue]

I don't know much about the kid but a shorter Andre Roberson? Is that what the Spurs really want?

I think the Roberson comparison comes from his unique present skill set. But, Smith is only 19 and has significantly more upside.

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pV7QieWyf8

[ace3g]

1008058855605932032

[ace3g]

1008492842484842496

[ace3g]

Zhaire "If you need a put-back dunk" Smith