Jabari Smith Jr. is one of the top prospects of the 2022 NBA Draft. The American basketball player made a name for himself in high school and college, winning top honors like the 2021 Mr. Georgia Basketball award and the 2022 NABC and SEC Freshman of the Year awards among many others.
The athlete, who played college basketball for Auburn University, will certainly be at home in the NBA when he kicks off his professional career. He has his dad, Jabari Smith Sr., to look up to for advice as he was a former professional NBA player. Another member of his extended family, cousin Kwame Brown, was a first overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft. While the duo did not go on to have stellar careers, Jabari Smith Jr. would be hoping to exceed their heights.
Jabari Smith Jr Biography
- Full Name: Jabari Montsho Smith Jr.
- Date of Birth: May 13, 2003
- Age: 19 years old
- Hometown: Fayetteville, Georgia
- Ethnicity: African American
- Nationality: American
- Height: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 m)
- Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
- Education: Sandy Creek High School; Auburn University
- Profession: Basketball Player
- Playing Position: Power forward
- Parents: Jabari Smith Sr. and Taneskia Purnell
- Sibling: A.J. Freeman
- Instagram: jabarismithjr
Jabari Smith Jr is a Native of Fayeteville, Georgia
Jabari Smith Jr was born on May 13, 2003 in Fayetteville, Georgia. An Ameei9can by ntionality and African American by ethnicity, Jabari Jr. is the son of Taneskia Purnell and Jabari Smith Sr. The basketball player is known to have one older brother named A.J. Freeman.
Who is Jabari Smith Jr.’s Dad?
Jabari’s father, Jabari Sr., is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for teams like the New Jersey Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and Sacramento Kings. He would go on to play overseas in countries like Spain, Turkey, Iran, Puerto Rico, and Mexico before calling time on his career in 2010.
Before turning pro, he played college basketball at Atlanta Metropolitan State (1996–1998) and Louisiana State University (1998–2000).
He Taught His Sons How to Play the Game
After his career came to an end, Jabari Sr focused on family life. He played an active role in raising his sons and taught them how to play the game of basketball. When Jabari Jr. was around 5 years old, his dad made him run up and down the hills in their neighborhood. He instilled in him good work ethic that would help him make it as a pro many years later.
Jabari Smith Jr. attended Sandy Creek High School alongside his brother where they exccelled in the sport. A.J would go on to attend his father’s alma mater – Atlanta Metropolitan State College where he continued to play the game before opting not to pursue a basketball career after graduating. Jabari Jr., on the other hand, went down a different path as his performance in high school gained him a scholarship to attend Auburn University.
After his senior year in high school, Jabari Jr. was named Mr. Georgia Basketball, Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Classification Player of the Year. As a freshamn at Auburn, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. His stellar performances ensured that he became the first player in Auburn history to be named SEC Freshman of the Year.
Other notable honors Smith received include NABC Freshman of the Year, Wayman Tisdale Award, Consensus second-team All-American, First-team All-SEC, and SEC All-Freshman Team, among others. Jabari subsequnetly opted to forgo his remaining college years to decalre for the draft.
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Jabari Smith Jr Height, Weight, and Other Body Stats
Jabari Smith Jr’s height is currently listed at 6 feet 10 inches. This means that he is as tall as current NBA players like Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin, and like them plays the power forward position. He might still end up adding an inch or two to his height as his father who played as a center during his career is 6 feet 11 inches tall.
Other available body stats of the athlete include a weight of 220 lbs or 100 kg.
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