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NCAA Basketball: Auburn, Vols, LSU, and UNC in play for 5-star F Jabari Smith

By Tristan Freeman

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - FEBRUARY 26: Head Coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers talks with a official during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 86-69. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - FEBRUARY 26: Head Coach Rick Barnes of the Tennessee Volunteers talks with a official during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 26, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 86-69. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 26: The Georgia Bulldogs logo on a pair of shorts (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 26: The Georgia Bulldogs logo on a pair of shorts (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Georgia Bulldogs

If the NBA Draft is a big part of the conversation, the Georgia Bulldogs have the ultimate current trump card in Anthony Edwards. The All-SEC guard and former No. 1 overall recruit was impressive in his lone season, averaging around 20 points and having several quality individual performances.

He’s projected to go no worse than third in the 2020 NBA Draft and could very well end up No. 1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Edwards was the lone bright spot for the Bulldogs as a team, finishing 16-16 overall and just 5-13 in the SEC. Still, the Edwards example and the opportunity of playing close to home should keep this program in the conversation until this weekend.

Another under the radar selling point Georgia is head coach Tom Crean’s ability to develop players into NBA prospects. There may be questions about his ability to win at a high level but he does have former players who are still in the NBA today. That includes Victor Oladipo from the Indiana days.

So far at Georiga, we’ve seen Rayshaun Hammonds and Nicolas Claxton (both forwards) leave early for the NBA Draft after good campaigns in college. There’s a good history for Smith to consider with the Bulldogs, even if the likelihood of winning games isn’t high.

If playing close to home in the state of Georgia and having the ball all to himself on offense, the Bulldogs may have a shot. If there’s anything else that comes into play in Smith’s decision, then the team will have to move on.

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