2018 NBA Mock Draft: Where did the prospects go?

I joke seemingly every week in this space about “Hawks U,” the renovation/development school Atlanta runs out of its basketball program, with notable alumnus such as Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr., DeMarre Carroll and Taurean Prince. Could Smith fit the mold and begin study at Hawks U next season?

The freshman was living an efficiency dream this year, shooting .562/.444/.719, but his lack of volume will confound analytics departments and scouts across the NBA. Smith attempted about one 3 per game this year, but attracted fouls and was incredible at the rim. Over 63 percent of Smith’s shots this season were at the rim, and he made 65 percent of those shots. He finished an incredible 36 putbacks, tops on the team. Smith was as efficient as a big man while also passing and shooting like a wing.

And so Texas Tech coach Chris Beard began using him that way later in the season, effectively flipping his role with Jarrett Culver’s, despite Culver being bigger. The two would swap places in a traditional pick-and-roll, with Smith rolling to the rim for lobs and four-on-three passing situations.

Atlanta spent recent draft picks on Prince and De’Andre Bembry, but Smith’s combination of athleticism and skill put his ceiling higher than either of those two, making this a worthwhile investment for the Hawks.