In a newly published piece exploring second-year players to watch in the 2023-24 NBA season, ESPN insiders listed Houston Rockets forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason as among the standouts.
The list excluded Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Utah’s Walker Kessler, and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, since each member of that impressive trio already showed enough in his 2022-23 rookie year.
Buy Rockets TicketsInstead, the list focuses on players who showed flashes as a rookie but perhaps lacked minutes or consistency.
Eason, drafted No. 17 overall in the 2022 first round, averaged 9.3 points (44.8% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers) and 6.0 rebounds in 21.6 minutes. Smith, drafted No. 3 overall in that class, tallied 12.8 points (40.8% FG, 30.7% on 3-pointers) and 7.2 rebounds in 31.0 minutes.
Eason played in all 82 games for the 2022-23 Rockets, while Smith nearly matched that impressive durability with 79 games played.
Both second-year forwards, who are each well regarded for their defense, will compete for frontcourt minutes once new head coach Ime Udoka opens training camp in the first week of October.
Here’s what ESPN’s writers had to say about both players.
Which sophomore is poised for a breakout season?
Tari Eason could thrive in new coach Ime Udoka’s system with the Houston Rockets. Named to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team, Eason might not blossom into a 20-points-per-game scorer right away, but his presence will be felt on the defensive end. He was one of just two players last season with over 1,000 minutes and a steal and block percentage above 2.5%. (Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso was the other.)
Which sophomore has something to prove this season?
It’s understandable that Jabari Smith Jr. struggled as a teenager on a rebuilding team that lacked veteran leadership, but his offensive inefficiency (.475 effective FG% and more turnovers than assists) was glaring considering he was last season’s No. 3 overall pick.
Smith made significant strides after the All-Star break and was dominant during his brief run with the Rockets’ Las Vegas summer league team. He should benefit from the addition of Fred VanVleet, who will provide the Rockets’ offense the structure and savvy it has been sorely lacking from the point guard position the past few years.
Smith’s ceiling remains extremely high: a Rashard Lewis-like offensive threat with All-Defense potential.
Complete ESPN article on NBA sophomores
#NBA Smith, Sharpe, Mathurin: NBA sophomores to watch in 2023-24 https://t.co/tPyNCf2sXM
— NBA Reporter (@RealNBA) September 18, 2023
