I know ESPN is in the doghouse with most of us but...
ZHAIRE
May be insiders only...so bunch of mumbo jumbo with a bunch of one and dones being picked and the one and only being picked at #16 by the Jazz.
Zhaire Smith | 6-5 | Fr.
Small forward | Texas Tech
Texas Tech will achieve its highest AP poll ranking in program history when the polls are officially released Monday.
Part of the reason for that -- besides senior point guard Keenan Evans and the leadership of coach of the year candidate Chris Beard -- is the play of Smith, an unheralded freshman who has made huge contributions on both ends of the floor.
A season-ending injury to senior Zach Smith forced Zhaire Smith into the starting lineup, and he has responded with impressive productivity and a slew of highlight-reel plays that have made him a fixture on SportsCenter.
Smith elevates for epic putback slam
Niem Stevenson misses a layup, but Zhaire Smith comes out of nowhere and rises up for a two-handed dunk.
Smith fits the mold of what NBA teams are looking for in a wing physically, standing 6-4 barefoot with a 6-10 wingspan, an excellent 199-pound frame and tremendous athletic ability, all while measuring a 44-inch vertical leap, according to Texas Tech. He covers ground exceptionally. He's quick off his feet and explosive vertically, being one of the better two-foot jumpers in high-major basketball.
Smith's offensive game is raw at this stage, as his ballhandling skills are crude and his jump shot is far from a consistent weapon. He's still figuring out the nuances of utilizing his athleticism to create high-percentage shots, even if he's a terror attacking in a straight line in the half court or operating in the open floor. While his shooting mechanics aren't terrible, he doesn't have great footwork and regularly passes up open shots from the perimeter, hitting just eight 3-pointers on the season through 25 games. To Smith's credit, he doesn't turn the ball over, plays an efficient style and shows flashes of a solid basketball IQ, despite not having the most polished skill level.
Smith's primary value at the moment comes on the defensive end, where his combination of quickness, length, intensity and anticipation skills makes him a multipositional stopper. He's the only underclassman in high-major basketball averaging more than 1.8 blocks and steals per 40 minutes pace adjusted. Texas Tech is an undersized team, and Smith's ability to put a body on power forwards, despite his still-developing frame, has been valuable for the Red Raiders at times.
Smith will benefit from another year of seasoning in the Big 12, as he has been somewhat inconsistent throughout the year, which is to be expected considering his career trajectory (No. 223-rated high school recruit) and the fact that he doesn't turn 19 until June. He'll have to show he can make shots with his feet set and score more consistently in the half court to hold scouts' interest next year, but he has certainly put himself on the map.
ZHAIRE
May be insiders only...so bunch of mumbo jumbo with a bunch of one and dones being picked and the one and only being picked at #16 by the Jazz.
Zhaire Smith | 6-5 | Fr.
Small forward | Texas Tech
Texas Tech will achieve its highest AP poll ranking in program history when the polls are officially released Monday.
Part of the reason for that -- besides senior point guard Keenan Evans and the leadership of coach of the year candidate Chris Beard -- is the play of Smith, an unheralded freshman who has made huge contributions on both ends of the floor.
A season-ending injury to senior Zach Smith forced Zhaire Smith into the starting lineup, and he has responded with impressive productivity and a slew of highlight-reel plays that have made him a fixture on SportsCenter.
Smith elevates for epic putback slam
Niem Stevenson misses a layup, but Zhaire Smith comes out of nowhere and rises up for a two-handed dunk.
Smith fits the mold of what NBA teams are looking for in a wing physically, standing 6-4 barefoot with a 6-10 wingspan, an excellent 199-pound frame and tremendous athletic ability, all while measuring a 44-inch vertical leap, according to Texas Tech. He covers ground exceptionally. He's quick off his feet and explosive vertically, being one of the better two-foot jumpers in high-major basketball.
Smith's offensive game is raw at this stage, as his ballhandling skills are crude and his jump shot is far from a consistent weapon. He's still figuring out the nuances of utilizing his athleticism to create high-percentage shots, even if he's a terror attacking in a straight line in the half court or operating in the open floor. While his shooting mechanics aren't terrible, he doesn't have great footwork and regularly passes up open shots from the perimeter, hitting just eight 3-pointers on the season through 25 games. To Smith's credit, he doesn't turn the ball over, plays an efficient style and shows flashes of a solid basketball IQ, despite not having the most polished skill level.
Smith's primary value at the moment comes on the defensive end, where his combination of quickness, length, intensity and anticipation skills makes him a multipositional stopper. He's the only underclassman in high-major basketball averaging more than 1.8 blocks and steals per 40 minutes pace adjusted. Texas Tech is an undersized team, and Smith's ability to put a body on power forwards, despite his still-developing frame, has been valuable for the Red Raiders at times.
Smith will benefit from another year of seasoning in the Big 12, as he has been somewhat inconsistent throughout the year, which is to be expected considering his career trajectory (No. 223-rated high school recruit) and the fact that he doesn't turn 19 until June. He'll have to show he can make shots with his feet set and score more consistently in the half court to hold scouts' interest next year, but he has certainly put himself on the map.
