Chris Smith

Draft Notes

Chris Smith is an elite level athlete who is emerging as a talented basketball player. As a senior he’s very young for his class and has shown a nice rate of improvement over the past 3 years.

His calling cards early in his NBA career will be versatile defense, transition offense and hitting the open 3pt shot. If he can do these things at a high level he’ll have a long NBA career.

Smith is also showing the ability to create his own offense and put the ball on the deck. He’s got such a quick first step for a 6-9 player that he’s tough to keep out of the lane.

As a junior Smith raised his 3pt percentage to 34% and his FT percentage to a very respectable 84%. Look for continued improvement in his outside shooting over the next year. This will be the skill that could make him a first round pick.

Comparisons

• Trevor Ariza

Draft Projection

late first to mid second round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft

2021 Small Forwards

1. Jonathan Kuminga -6-8 – G League (Congo)
2. Jalen Johnson – 6-8 – Duke
3. Ziaire Williams – 6-7 – Stanford
4. Terrence Shannon Jr. – 6-7 – Texas Tech
5. Wendall Moore – 6-6 – Duke
6. Chris Smith – 6-9 – UCLA
7. Landers Nolley II – 6-7 – Memphis
8. Keyontae Johnson – 6-5 – Florida
9. Trendon Watford – 6-8 – LSU
10. Franz Wagner – 6-8 – Michigan (Germany)
11. Derrick Alston Jr. – 6-9 – Boise State
12. Corey Kispert – 6-7 – Gonzaga
13. Samuell Williamson – 6-7 – Louisville
14. Emmitt Mathews Jr. – 6-7 – West Virginia