22. Auburn Tigers
Are we 100% sure that Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero are the No. 1 and 2 picks on the upcoming NBA Draft? Because five-star freshman forward Jabari Smith has been arguably even better than either of those guys so far. He’s 6’10 but plays like a guard, perfectly comfortable playing out on the perimeter and shooting the ball or driving to the hoop.
Smith leads Auburn with 17.3 ppg and 6.9 rpg so far and has been nothing but great in just about every game. He also gives the team a go-to scorer while Allan Flanigan has been out with a leg injury. But he hasn’t been the only good newcomer, as the transfer class has also worked out well, led by Georgia transfer K.D. Johnson. He’s averaging 15.1 ppg and 2.4 steals a game, becoming a fan-favorite due to his elite coast-to-coast defense and aggressive playstyle.
The most beautiful shooting stroke in all of college basketball belongs to a 6-foot-10 eighteen-year-old who could very well become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft — Auburn freshman Jabari Smith Jr. pic.twitter.com/9iaw3wXhtX
— Skye Underwood (@SkyeUnderwood) December 12, 2021
Eastern Kentucky transfer Wendell Green Jr. has been coming off the bench for the most part but overall has played well, averaging 11.2 ppg and 4.6 apg. Fellow former mid-major Zep Jasper (6.0 ppg and 3.8 apg) has been solid as well and considering how some of the other mid-major to high-major point guard transfers have looked, Auburn has to be happy with the new guards.
The most high-profile newcomer this offseason was UNC transfer Walker Kessler, a potential breakout candidate now with a new role and more minutes. But he’s been okay offensively (7.6 ppg and 7.0 rpg) but is averaging over three blocks a game. With Smith playing at an All-American level, Kessler’s play can be overlooked for now but if the freshman struggles, the starting center will have to step up.
Even with the roster constructed as is, I would “buy” this team. But with Flanigan set to return in a few weeks, the Tigers could become the team to beat in the SEC. As long as Smith continues to look like a future top-5 NBA Draft pick, this team is set to outperform its preseason spot.