NBA Draft Film Room: Zhaire Smith’s athleticism and motor make him worth gambling on

In the lead-up to the NBA Draft on June 21, BSN Denver is taking an in-depth look at prospects the Nuggets might target in the first round. Each draft profile will be accompanied by a podcast available on BSNDenver.com and wherever you normally download your podcasts from. To submit questions for the podcast, reply in the comments section at the bottom of this story.

THE BASICS

Zhaire Smith — Guard — Texas Tech

NBA Role: Glue guy with all-star potential if he learns how to dribble

Player Comparison: Shorter, bouncier Andre Roberson

Zhaire Smith dunked a basketball for the first time in eighth grade. The Garland, Texas, native was still in middle school when he completed the act anyone who laces up a pair of basketball shoes aspires to. Since then, the 19-year-old has committed hundreds of assaults on the rim.

Smith’s 41 1/2-inch max vertical is one reason why he’s gone from unheralded college basketball recruit to potential NBA lottery pick in about a year’s time. Smith wasn’t even ranked among Rivals’ Top 150 players. On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated predicted he’d go 17th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks in its latest mock draft.

“It’s crazy how things can change in one year,” Smith said after a pre-draft workout with the Nuggets on Wednesday. “But with all the hard work I’ve put in, I’m not that surprised. It’s a blessing to be in this position.”

Of all the dunks Smith’s thrown down in his career, the 360 alley-oop he pulled off in the NCAA Tournament Round of 64 game against Stephen F. Austin is his favorite.

“I caught it, and I thought I could spin because I was in the air for so long,” Smith said. “Then I spun, and I was surprised.”

Gravity doesn’t affect Smith the way it does most people. He could be on the Nuggets’ radar at 14 at the NBA Draft later this month because of that, his motor and his defensive ability.

PLAYS BIGGER THAN HE IS

Smith was the tallest player on his high school team, which is rare for a 6-foot-4 player at a 6A high school in Texas. He told ESPN last month that he didn’t attempt a three-pointer until his senior year. That background helps explain why Smith was the only guard in the Big 12 to average two offensive rebounds and one block per game.

The 2.2 offensive rebounds Smith corralled per contest is a remarkable number for someone of his stature. His leaping ability and 6-foot-10 wingspan certainly helped. So did the fact that he hit the offensive glass like his life depended on it.

Smith left after only one year at Texas Tech. His official biography page on the school’s website doesn’t list a major. If it did, it might read “tip slams.”

Raw athleticism can only take a player so far. Instincts and effort are also required to rebound like Smith. He reads the ball exceptionally well off the rim, and he attacks like one of Immortan Joe’s underlings. Not every one of his pursuits results in a tip slam, but you understand why Smith generates so many highlights when you watch how hard he goes on every possession.

“My coach (Chris Beard) told me to crash the boards every time, and I did that,” Smith said. “Whatever coach says I really do.”

Sometimes that included lining up between the block and first hash mark when opposing teams were shooting free throws, territory that is usually reserved for players 6-foot-7 and up. Other times, the Red Raiders asked Smith to jump for the opening tip. Smith stepped inside the half-court circle against 7-foot-1 Mohamed Bamba when Texas Tech faced Texas in January. Bamba won the tip, but Smith made him work for it even though he was giving up 7 inches.

DEFENSIVE VERSATILITY

The Red Raiders ranked 11th in opponent field goal percentage and 16th in scoring defense nationally. They ranked fourth in KenPom’s adjusted defense. By most metrics, they were one of the stingiest defensive teams in college basketball.

Smith had a lot to do with that. A Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection, Smith averaged 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He was one of two guards who played in a Power Five conference to hit those benchmarks. Smith can guard at the point of attack, hold his own against bigs and offer support as a help-side defender.

Watch how he closes out on Kansas sharpshooter Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, shadows him and forces a jump ball in the clip above. That’s impressive lateral quickness. Smith can close ground in a hurry, and he gets a lot of deflections thanks to his length.

He doesn’t get overpowered easily either. In the clip below, he gets switched onto Bamba. Bamba calls for the ball and tries to move Smith out of the way, but Smith holds his ground and prevents the post entry pass.

Smith makes opponents earn baskets. He doesn’t bail them out with silly fouls. He does a good job of staying square, absorbing contact with his chest and keeping his hands high when opponents try to bludgeon their way to the hoop.

Plus, Smith stays engaged when he’s not guarding the ball. Devonte’ Graham probably thought he had an easy two here.

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is the best shot-blocking guard of all time. Know how many swats he averaged as a freshman at Marquette? The same number as Smith: 1.1.

UNADVANCED HANDLE AND IFFY JUMPER

Smith’s shot profile in his lone season in Lubbock looked like a big man’s. More than 62 percent of his field goal attempts came at the rim, and though he converted them at a 64.9 percent rate, he’s going to have to learn to score farther out from the basket at the next level.

He has an OK spin move, but for the most part, he attacks in straight-line drives with limited success.

Defenders can afford to sag off Smith because he doesn’t have much confidence in his outside shot yet. He attempted 40 three-pointers all season. He showed some promise as a spot-up shooter, but he needs to get to the point where he doesn’t hesitate when he’s open.

Smith looks awkward when he makes a move that requires multiple dribbles. To his credit, Smith said Wednesday that ball-handling is the area of his game he’s trying to improve most.

THE VERDICT

The Nuggets struggled to contain dribble penetration, and at times they failed to give consistent effort last season. Smith would help in both of those departments. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in this draft, and he doesn’t know how to do anything but play at 100 mph. He could step in and be a better version of Torrey Craig.

One problem: Smith at 6-foot-4 might be too small to spend significant time at small forward in the NBA. The Nuggets are already undersized at guard with Jamal Murray and Gary Harris. Can they really afford to take another guard?

The fit isn’t ideal, but Smith’s upside and motor might be worth gambling on. The combination of athleticism and desire he possesses is difficult to find.