Jabari Smith Favored to Be No. 1 Overall Pick in 2022 NBA Draft

There may not be a more complete player in college basketball than Auburn forward Jabari Smith, and he’s rightfully taken the top spot to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

WynnBET has Smith at -150 in its latest odds, and it’s because of the already pro-ready game that Smith has displayed in his freshman season at Auburn. He’s shown fantastic ball handling and shooting ability for a 6-foot-10 freshman, and it shows the massive potential he has going forward.

Jabari Smith showed his full array of talent with 28 points on 16 shots, including an array of gorgeous jumpers. Also had some big rebounds in traffic, held his ground inside, protected the rim and showed some passing out of doubles. Another complete, professional performance. pic.twitter.com/OEzMgeujOd
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) February 19, 2022

Odds to Be No. 1 Pick in 2022 NBA Draft

Jabari Smith: -150
Paolo Banchero: +150
Chet Holmgren: +400
Jaden Ivey: +800
AJ Griffin: +2500
Benedict Mathurin: +5000
Jaden Hardy: +5000
Jalen Duren: +5000
Johnny Davis: +10000
TyTy Washington: +10000
Patrick Baldwin Jr.: +20000
Caleb Houstan: +50000
Peyton Watson: +50000

Jabari Smith Is the Full Package Offensively

Unlike most collegiate big men, Smith is a fantastic shooter, and as you can see in the clip above, he can score from all three levels.

Smith has shown the ability to hit the fadeaway jumper out of a post up, but his 3-point shooting may be the most impressive skill he’s shown so far this season.

The freshman is averaging 16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from beyond the arc. His shooting touch is extremely impressive, and it shows what a factor he can be right away as a stretch four or a bigger three in the NBA.

Jabari Smith was LIGHTS OUT ♨️♨️@jabarismithll is the first @AuburnMBB player with 30 points on 60% shooting in an SEC game since 2014! pic.twitter.com/DtX9KBVBx1
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 17, 2022

Smith’s game offensively is far more advanced that current NBA Rookie of the Year favorite Evan Mobley, who has burst onto the scene for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2021-22 season.

Granted, Mobley is unquestionably a better defender, but Smith’s offensive repertoire at his size and at such a young age is going to be hard to pass up for any team.

Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero were expected to lead this draft class, but Holmgren’s slight build and Banchero’s inconsistency, especially as a shooter, makes Smith the better pick at this point.

Things can always change as we get closer to the draft, but Jabari Smith has checked all the boxes so far to be the favorite to go No. 1 in the 2022 NBA Draft.

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