NBA Draft: Tyler Smith is the Perfect Modern Day Big Man
The NBA is constantly shifting, and the latest trend is the need for a big man who can defend in space and stretch the floor offensively. That's where 6-foot-11 center Tyler Smith comes in as one of the coveted prospects of the NBA G League Ignite.
Averaging 14 points, five rebounds, an assist and 1.8 stocks per game, Smith shows off his modern-day style by shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc (39.8) while maintaining the rim-finishing required to find NBA success shooting 64 percent at the cup.
In a league against grown men, stiffer competition than what you will find in most college gyms around the country, Smith knocks down catch-and-shoot chances at a 39 percent clip and still brings physicality inside.
His lean frame keeps the Texas native mobile, one of the most fluid moving bigs you will see. This allows him to run the floor hard in transition, avoid being exploited on an island defensively, and shimmy past defenders diving toward the rim in the half-court.
With hands and the length to pull down any pass, Smith helps his guards as a play finisher in the pick-and-roll, you could stick him in the dunker spot with his springy leaping ability and, most importantly, let him capitalize on pick-and-pop jumpers.
Though the Ignite product is not just a play-ender, he has flashed enough creation skills that lead you to believe the 19-year-old will be able to play off the catch and take advantage of heavy-legged mismatches.
On the defensive end, Smith presents a nightmare matchup in pick-and-roll coverage with length that allows him to play both ends of the action - he understands how to rotate and can switch multiple positions, which is becoming a prerequisite for NBA action.
The G League Ignite product has significant upside while owning ready-made modern skills that should earn him a mid-to-high first-round grade in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.