When the 2022 NBA Draft began, Jabari Smith sat on the floor of the Barclays Center and waited.
"You're just sitting there, the camera is floating, and you don't know where to go," Smith said. "I'm trembling with a bit of jitter. You've been working all the time. I just want to hear your name called."
Many people Auburn At a distance of 6 feet 10 from, talented Smith speculated that he wouldn't have to wait at all to hear his name being spoken on Thursday night. But the draft is full of surprises. The first draft waswhen Magic passed Smith, and Duke's Paolo Banchero became the first overall pick.
And after Thunder caught Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren in number two, Smith fell to Rockets' lap in number three.
"I definitely added a tip," Smith, wearing a Rockets hat, said of the draft slide. "I'm happy to be where I wanted. I'm happy to get to Houston and show them to them — give them what they chose."
19-year-old Smith trains before the draft with a rocket. He held sessions only with Magic and Thunder. Still, Houston knew that Banchero, Holmgren, and Smith were the top consensus candidates, and the big guys were coming. The Rockets prepared accordingly and exchanged for last year's power forward Christian Wood on Tuesday.
Therefore, Smith enthusiastically heads to Houston, admitting that he "did not expect" to become a rocket.
"I'm really eager to get down there, get to work, meet my teammates, meet the staff, and meet everyone there," Smith said.
Smith was dazzled by the lonely season with the Tigers, averaging 16.9 points per game and 7.4 rebounds to get everything done. He's a typical NBA tycoon today, a 42% shooter across a 3-point arc, and even blocked per-game shots.
At his press conference, Smith rattled those attributes: his defensive variety, shooting ability, and scoring ability.
"That's what they're getting," Smith declared.
Smith can refocus on these aspects. It's done — his goal to win the NBA Championship and be inducted into his skill set was the opportunity to play with Jalen Green, who was second last year. This is due to what happened a few minutes ago.
His horrifying expectations came to an end when he heard his name ring throughout the Barclays Center. His own oversized graphics and rocket logo flashed across the arena screen, subsided his jitter.
"Then it's a whole new life," Smith said.
And after waiting a few more minutes, that's what he starts in Houston.
