Nick Smith Jr. Dominates Portland In Summer League Performance

Falling all the way down to Charlotte at pick No. 27, Nick Smith Jr. was one of the biggest steals of the 2023 NBA Draft. Prior to the season, the 6-foot-4 guard was projected as a borderline top-five pick. However, after an injury-riddled freshman season at Arkansas, his stock took a little hit. Even then, this drastic of a slip to the end of the first round was unforeseen.

When Smith Jr. was healthy at Arkansas, he was quite productive. The former Razorback tallied an average statline of 12.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 11.7 assists, 0.8 steals per game. Additionally, he shot just under 40% from the field, 33.8% from beyond the arc and 74% from the free throw line. Throughout the season, Smith Jr. notched at least 20 points in five of his 17 appearances, showing off his high-level talent.

This talent carried over to the Hornets’ summer league game against the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this week. As he has been doing all summer, Smith Jr. came out in this game looking to facilitate for his teammates and with maximum effort on the defensive end, which is always a great sign. Offensively, he began by hitting a few jumpshots, as his silky smooth touch has always been the foundation of his high-end shooting percentage, despite his mediocre percentages in college. This touch shined through as he pinpointed multiple jumpers from beyond and inside the arc.

With each make, Smith Jr.’s confidence increased, and he dipped deeper into his bag. He began to string together filthy handle combinations to get to his spots or attack the rim. Even when he could not get all the way to the basket, his lethal touch set up a routine floater for him.

The looks he was taking and making were extremely high level.

OMG 😱

THIS is the Nick Smith Jr. people was saying was going top 10 in the lottery. pic.twitter.com/OWfQYLcwis
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) July 12, 2023

Nick Smith Jr. is FILTHY 🤧 pic.twitter.com/oPDcVJ2zOe
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) July 12, 2023

Smith Jr. finished the game with 33 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, shot 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 9-of-15 from within it.

Nick Smith Jr today dropped:

33 PTS
4 REB
3 AST
13-20 FG
4-5 from 3.

Lot of unreal movements to get to the rim and showcased fantastic touch and played more in pace then before, shot effectively from deep as well.

Easily his best game. pic.twitter.com/le3UdGQTLR
— Arman Jovic (@PDTScouting) July 12, 2023

With this performance, he showcased many of the reasons why a star-level outcome is on the table for him. For one, he brings effort and impact in places other than just as a scorer. As a scorer, his creativity and shiftiness will allow him to get to his spots and his incredible touch bodes well for Smith Jr. as a great pull-up shooter and short mid-range finisher. The next step is for him to add some strength, but regardless he will certainly be a joy to watch in Charlotte this year.

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