19. Nick Smith Jr. 6’5” 185 lbs 19.1 years old Freshman, Arkansas 12.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.1 bpg, 0.8 spg, 37.6% fg%, 33.8% 3%, 74% ft%

Overview: Nick Smith Jr. was regarded by many as the top college prospect from his freshman class but injuries and lack of production marred his season and has made him a fringe lottery prospect with a desirable but dangerous skillset. Smith Jr. is a shot maker who can play point guard and will try to parlay that to his advantage. Smith shot poorly at Arkansas but battled knee issues which stunted how frequently he could play. Smith relies on a high skill level and creativity to find shots creating a polarising view on just how good he is as a prospect. Smith could be one of the better scorers from this class. His playmaking will be interesting to see evaluated and cultivated as he shared the backcourt with likely top 10 pick, Anthony Black. Smith likely gets selected in the lottery due to scoring upside but will have to adapt his game to become a scoring point guard more so than a true shooting guard.

Strengths: Can play on or off the ball. Good size if he plays the point. Shooting signs would indicate he can really shoot. 48% on unguarded catch and shoot jumpers. Great touch from intermediate. Very coordinated with basketball. Creates free throws which is a sign of a true scorer. Active cutter off of the ball. Showed pick and roll passing in flashes in college and often in high school. Competes defensively. Wants to play. Could have easily shut down his year and fought to return to court with his teammates. Weaknesses: Not very fast in half court. Very reliant on floater. Only shot 31% on floaters anyway. Shot okay not well. Tough shot taker. Not a great defender but will try. Hardly rebounds.

Tier: Franchise Changer

Player Comparisons: Jaden Ivey, Donovan Mitchell

Nick Smith is a well-sized guard out of Arkansas. He's got great bounce and with a lanky 6'9" wingspan, he plays a lot bigger than his 6'4" frame. He can drive well due to his size and is good at scoring in the paint. He's arguably the most talented scorer in the 2023 Draft Class and he's quick and explosive. He's also a great shooter, shooting 36% from 3 in his first couple of games with Arkansas. He has a very deep bag and can score from all levels of the court. He's great in the pick-and-roll game. He's a 3 level shooter. He's got work to improve when playing off the ball but he's shown good flashes. He has an amazing floater. He's one of the most polished and well-rounded scorers of the draft. He has however been sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.

• Only appeared in 17 games in 2023 due to a reoccurring knee injury.

• Arkansas went 22-14 in the 2022-23 season, and lost in the 3rd round of the NCAA tournament (#8 seed).

• Did not participate in NBA pre-draft combine.

Bio: Arkansas, April 18, 2004 (19), 6’5”, 185 lb, Combo Guard

Stats:

Strengths:

• Confidence

• Wiggliness

• Scoring

• Shooting upside

Weaknesses:

• Takes too many floaters

• Efficiency inside the arc

• Has dealt with injuries

• Tends to shot hunt more than necessary

Rundown:

This is a guy that at his ceiling is a star player in the league. His scoring traits and wiggly ability to get open certainly give him another level of potential. He certainly doesn’t lack confidence, but that can sometimes lead him to taking sketchy shots. Another primary concern for him is his efficiency inside the arc. He struggled to score around the rim, and took too many contested midrangers. Overall, he is a major boom or bust player.

Shades of: CJ McCollum

19.2 year-old 6'5 SG/PG. Playmaking Shot Creator. With a deep offensive bag and range, Smith Jr. could end up as the best pure scorer of the class. His athleticism is not elite, but he moves quickly and has good bounce. His floater is, at times, the best in the class, but he can struggle finishing through contact at the rim. He is a good playmaker with the ball in his hands as well as a deep catch and shoot threat off-ball. A 6'9 wingspan and quick feet should allow Smith Jr. to be a solid perimeter defender at the next level. He fights through screens and is a menace on-ball and off. He has been inconsistent, and his frame is concerning to some. He is not exactly ready made NBA talent, but he is a project that could pay off and make a team look very smart. His lingering knee injury may hurt his draft stock, but the potential for an elite offensive talent is here.

Strengths:

+++3P Shooting

+++Quickness

++Versatiliy

++Shot Creation

++Midrange Scoring

++Vision

+Passing

Weaknesses:

--Interior Finishing

--Strength

--Consistency

-Explosiveness

Shades Of:

CJ McCollum, Immanuel Quickley, Anfenee Simons

Ceiling: All-Star, 2-Way Playmaking Shot Creator

Floor: Out of League, Sharpshooter

Team Fit:

Nick could be developed as a lead guard, but I like his potential more as an off-ball shooting guard, despite his playmaking chops. The team that takes Nick will have to be patient and can't expect him to be a productive NBA player right away. If Nick goes to a team that allows him to make mistakes and puts time and energy into his development, he could return a lot of value.

Best fits within range: Houston, Brooklyn, Utah, Indiana

OFFENSE

• Never looked like himself had injuries all year

• Played also with ball dominant teammates in an offense with no spacing

• Elite touch on floaters

• Not an explosive driver very few attempts at the rim

• Needs to go to the rim much more often

• Good at attacking closeouts

• Not a great first step

• Shot under 40% inside the arc

• Hit and miss but overall a good passer with good feel

• Showed he can hit off movement , off curls and relocations

• Flashes some moves like stepbacks but handle still needs some work

DEFENSE

• Often seen picking up his man full court e

• Brought a lot of energy and intensity

• Due to his size doesn’t offer much rim protection

Nick Smith- Arkansas (SG) Age:19.2yrs 6’5 185 (Tyrese Maxey)

Extremely smooth scorer at multiple levels utilizes the floater well because he has issues finishing around the basket due to his frail frame. Played a lot of off ball guard while playing next to Anthony black this past season but does seem to be more of a off ball guard heading towards the NBA. I see him as this instant offense guy to start off in the NBA but could develop into a starter if he gets more consistent shooting shot just 37.6% from the field in 17 games after he missed time due to a knee injury. Defensively he also worries me some with his motor and switchability.

(17gs 25.8 mpg)(12.5ppg, 1.7ast, 1.6rb, 37.6 fg%, 33.8 3pt% 4.2 3pa)