Former Auburn star had a big game in the NBA
For the first time in a really long time, Auburn has a bunch of talent in the NBA, and all of the thanks is due to what Bruce Pearl has done during his ten years on the Plains.
Auburn has gone from one of the worst basketball teams in Power-Six hoops to a contender every single season. Coach Pearl has turned around basketball in Auburn, and that has led to recruiting some really talented players.
One former Auburn Tiger who was a highly-ranked guy out of high school is Jabari Smith Jr., who is now with the Houston Rockets. Last night, the Rockets took on the Washington Wizards and beat them 137-114. Smith Jr. had 18 points on 7-13 shooting and 14 rebounds for a double-double. Rockets center Alperen Sengun is out with an injury, so Smith Jr. has moved from power forward to center and is playing excellent basketball.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka had this to say about Smith Jr's performance against the Wizards, “He quietly went about his business. Four offensive rebounds, and there’s all the things he does besides switching and guarding some bigs. I thought he was really good.”
Udoka is pleased with how Smith Jr. has played over the four games without Sengun, which shows how good of a defender he is. Coming out of Auburn, Smith Jr. was considered a sharpshooting 6'11 player who plays high-intensity defense, and he has proven that during his time in the NBA. The former Auburn Tiger is shining in his new role.
