Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason Represent Rockets in Latest NBA Rookie Ladder
Houston Rockets power forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason were recognized in nba.com's latest Rookie Ladder.
Smith Jr. progressed from their last rankings, ascending to No. 7 while Eason remained situated at No. 8. Both rookies have given Houston solid production in a losing season.
Smith Jr. -- the 2022 No. 3 overall draft pick -- has struggled with efficiency on the year, shooting 40.3 percent from the floor and 30.7 percent from beyond the arc. The month of March has seen him experience a vicissitude in fortune.
In 11 games this month, the 19-year-old rookie has upped his scoring by over three points to 15.5 points per night while seeing a seismic shift in efficiency rates. He's shot 49.6 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three on 4.4 attempts.
The Rockets have also gone 5-6 in that span, accounting for nearly 30 percent of their wins on the season.
Eason has been very reliable, appearing in all 72 of the Rockets' regular season games. He is fresh off of a 21-point, 12-rebound performance in their last outing against the Golden State Warriors where he also notched four steals.
Eason has recorded multiple steals in 20 games this season. In the month of March, he's upped his averages to 11.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals on 50 percent shooting from the field and 39.3 percent connection from the three-point line on 2.5 attempts per contest.
There may not be room for both Rockets stars on the All-Rookie teams come season's end, but both have given coach Stephen Silas enough of a sample size to assess and work moving forward.
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