Third choice of the Draft 2022, Jabari Smith Jr. made on the side of Houston an honest rookie season, without being particularly exciting, in a collective context far from ideal.
An offseason later, the Rockets, bolstered by Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and other established veterans, now have wider ambitions in the Western Conference. As a result, the 20-year-old strong winger, who admitted having ” underperformed ” and to see ” be better », is therefore fully aware that he must move upmarket.
” It’s about being the most constant and regular version of myself », so said the former Auburn interior. ” Approach each match with the same mentality, never change it. »
Progress, the watchword
In a denser and more experienced team than last season, Jabari Smith Jr. also understands that his role could change from one evening to another. And the young talent from Houston aims at the same time to have an unchanged impact on the victory, in every game.
” It’s also about bringing your stone to the building, no matter how. If it’s by scoring 10 points one evening, or 20 points another. I just want to be a winning player », develops « JSJ ». ” I absolutely want to try to win the ‘Most Improved Player’ trophy. I worked so hard this summer, so why not have that ambition? »
To keep a prominent place in Ime Udoka’s plans next season, Jabari Smith Jr. therefore knows that consistency will be key. A consistency brilliantly displayed last month in Las Vegas, during a short but successful and dominated Summer League (35.5 points at 49% on shots, 7 rebounds and 4 assists), which must now be duplicated during the next 82 games…
| Jabari Smith, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2022-23 | HOO | 79 | 31 | 40.8 | 30.7 | 78.6 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 12.8 |
| Total | 79 | 31 | 40.8 | 30.7 | 78.6 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 12.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
