Jalen Smith

Draft Notes

1on1 Interview

A very intriguing 6-10 forward from Maryland who definitely passes the eye test when he steps onto the floor, Jalen Smith is a likely mid first round pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Last year he made a good decision to return to school for a second season and now he’s well positioned to get that first round money. He added a lot to his game from one year to the next, showing a much improved 3pt shot, better muscle, mass and strength and he took the next step with his decision making and basketball IQ.

Strengths

• Makes the game look easy – smooth leaper and fluid athlete with speed, change of direction and natural ability
• Can really get off the ground and is very quick to the rim
• Uses ball fakes well. Has quick hands and knows how to keep the ball high. Has a lot of burst.
• Attacks the offensive glass and gets a lot of stick(s)-back dunks
• A righty who has an advanced left hand, dribbling, scoring and blocking shots
• Shows promise as a multi-dimensional offensive threat, with a face-up game and 3 point shooting range
• A disciplined defender who keeps his feet and jumps second – can block shots with either hand and is very quick off the ground
• A hard worker who puts in the effort to improve his game and add strength to his frame
• A very grounded and humble young man

Weaknesses

• Has a thin frame and a very light lower body
• Needs to add upper body strength but will likely always be more of a finesse big-man, especially at the next level

Comparisons

• P.J. Brown

Draft Projection

mid first to early second round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft

2020 Power Forwards

1. Obi Toppin – 6-9 – Dayton 
2. Aleksej Pokusevski – 7-0 – Serbia
3. Precious Achiuwa – 6-9 – Memphis 
4. Paul Reed – 6-9 – DePaul
5. Jalen Smith – 6-10 – Maryland
6. Xavier Tillman – 6-8 – Michigan State
7. Mamadi Diakite – 6-9 – Virginia
8. Reggie Perry – 6-9 – Mississippi State
9. Lamar Stevens – 6-8 – Penn State
10. Killian Tillie – 6-10 – Gonzaga (France)
11. Paul Eboua – 6-8 – Cameroon 
12. Emmitt Williams – 6-6 – LSU
13. E.J. Montgomery – 6-10 – Kentucky