Rockets Jabari Smith Jr., Team Rooks Fall Short In Kia Skills Challenge

Jabari Smith Jr. continued his busy All-Star weekend Saturday night during the Kia Skills Challenge. The Houston Rockets rookie from Auburn University joined Paolo Banchero and Jaden Ivey as representatives for Team Rooks inside Vivint Arena.

Smith helped Team Rooks win the first round of the skills challenge over Team Antetokounmpo and Team Jazz.

Smith made his floater and connected on a chest pass during his first attempt but missed all three 3-point field goal attempts. Banchero had the same results. But Ivey's 3-point field goal helped Team Rooks finish with a time of 1:14.

Team Rooks struggled during the second round, which featured a passing challenge. They finished last in the event by recording a score of 78. Team Jazz placed first with a score of 88.

The last and final competition consisted of a shooting challenge. Team Rooks scored four points, as Smith missed all four shot attempts. Team Jazz scored 13, which led to the hometown team winning the event with 200 points. Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton represented Team Jazz.

Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, as well as Jrue Holiday, represented Team Antetokounmpo.

Only two players in Rockets' history previously participated in the Skills Challenge. Jeremy Lin competed in 2013, while Patrick Beverley won the event in 2015.

Smith's first event of the weekend came Friday night during the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars event. Smith, alongside teammate Tari Eason, helped Team Joakim [Noah] advance to the championship round.

He scored a combined five points during the two games. But Team Joakim fell short in the finals by falling 25-20 to Team Pau [Gasol].

You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24

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