LAKE CHARLES, La. – As media members walked into the hallway of the Legacy Center at McNeese State University, a loud voice bellowed out above the on-court chatter and squeaking shoes that moved along the gymnasium floor.
“I thought this was the NBA, we damn sure ain’t playing like it,” said the 6-foot-11 player patrolling the lane on defense.
That voice was none other than the Houston Rockets’ No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, Jabari Smith Jr.
Typically, rookies take their time to get settled in, giving way to veterans on the team. Most of the time, they would rather be seen and not heard going through training camp. But Smith is not your typical rookie, and he is not one to keep his mouth shut when it comes to helping his teammates be successful.
“I feel like it has always been in me,” Smith said when asked about being a vocal leader on the court. “Even in college, I was one of the youngest players on my team, and I am the youngest player on this team. People are always preaching to me that no matter how old you are that you can still make an impact with your voice. Just being a leader. We are all at the same level, and we respect each other.”
Smith, 19, is looking to gain respect from other players around the NBA when he steps on the court this season. The former SEC Freshman of the Year out of Auburn University knows he will have some highs and lows in the beginning, but he should be able to work through those as the season progresses.
“People are always preaching to me that no matter how old you are that you can still make an impact with your voice,” said Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. about being a vocal leader. #LightTheFuse #Sarge #RocketsWire @jabarismithjr @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/iLgJmKzTxl
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) September 28, 2022
Key aspects of his game that will help Smith acclimate to the NBA are his ability to shoot and his defensive presence, which is one thing he takes pride in. Smith believes his skillset will blend and mesh with his other teammates, especially forward Jae’Sean Tate.
“I feel like our communication is good right now, but it can be on a whole other level,” Smith said after practice. “I feel that we can be one of the best defensive teams in the league, and I feel like our communication has to go to another level for us to get to that.”
