NBA Draft: Nick Smith Jr. Re-Inserting Himself Into 2023 Draft Conversation
After missing a good chunk of the season due to injury, Arkansas guard Nick Smith Jr. is quickly re-inserting himself back into the 2023 NBA Draft conversation.
Prior to the season, Smith was looked at as one of the top collegiate prospects alongside Duke’s Dariq Whitehead. But his season has thus far been derailed due to lingering minor injuries.
His talent has always been apparent from his pre-Arkansas tape, but it's been hard to keep him above other prospects who have proven themselves at the college level so far. Now, he's proving himself.
Coming off his second injury hiatus, Smith has now scored 15.0 points per game in his last four contests, including 24 against Georgia and 26 against Alabama on Saturday.
Even more, Smith has passed the eye test in a major way.
Smith did his best to keep the Razorbacks in the game against Alabama, using his combination of smooth, cerebral play to relentlessly attack the Crimson Tide offensively. He showcased outside range, mid-range touch and a fiery competitiveness until the very end of the game.
It wasn’t a perfect game: 24 points on 23 shots. And his physicality, understandably due to injury, isn’t up to par yet on the college level. But his talent was on full display regardless. And he’s certainly a player NBA scouts will be honed in on as the 2023 Draft inches closer and closer.
With a strong late-season push or tournament performance, Smith Jr. could re-insert himself back into the third overall pick conversation, which, despite Brandon Miler’s best efforts, is still pretty wide open.
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